Family of Sheku Bayoh fear racism 'played a big part' in death

The family of a man who died in police custody fear his race may have played a part in his death.

Relatives of Sheku Bayoh, 31, spoke to reporters after a memorial service which was held near the spot where he died in Kirkcaldy, Fife.

Mr Bayoh, originally from Sierra Leone, died in police custody after he was restrained by officers following an incident in the town on 3 May 2015.

His family have been campaigning for the truth about his death.

Relatives of Sheku Bayoh gathered for a memorial service near the spot where he died in Kirkcaldy, Fife

Mr Bayoh's death is being investigated by independent police watchdog PIRC and his family will go back to see the Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland on Monday.

Asked how worried she was that racism may have played a part in his death and the subsequent investigation, his sister Kadi Johnson said: "We are very worried. Because the way he was injured, I think racism had to play a big part in it."

Speaking about the memorial service, she said: "Sheku was a very happy boy. A very happy, outgoing boy. We want his legacy to linger on in a joyful way, because that is how he was."

Police have previously dismissed suggestions of racism surrounding the case.

In October 2015, the Lord Advocate urged all those with an interest in the death of Sheku Bayoh not to engage in "speculation and a running commentary".

The same month, Barry Swan, the brother-in-law of one of the principal police officers involved, claimed in a BBC interview that the officer "hates black people."

And in June 2015 both the Scottish Police Federation chairman Brian Docherty and a Scottish Police Federation lawyer hit out at criticism of the police from Aamer Anwar, the family's lawyer.