Sheku Bayoh family reassured by chief constable's meeting

Sheku Bayoh's family arrive with their lawyer Aamer Anwar at the Crown Office in Edinburgh to hear if police officers will be prosecuted over his death in 2015

The family of a Fife man who died in custody have said they are reassured by Police Scotland's chief constable's commitment to a public inquiry.

Sheku Bayoh died in May 2015 while being restrained by officers responding to a call in Kirkcaldy.

Mr Bayoh's mother Aminata Bayoh and sister Kadi Johnson met Iain Livingstone earlier.

During the meeting his mother and sister expressed hope it would result in fundamental change.

Last month the justice secretary announced a judge-led inquiry would examine the circumstances of his death.

It is one month since The Crown Office said no police officers would face criminal charges.

The Bayoh family's lawyer Aamer Anwar said the invitation from the chief constable was unexpected, but welcome.

Sheku Bayoh died in 2015 after being restrained by police in Kirkcaldy

Mr Anwar said: "The family of Sheku Bayoh who met with the chief constable this afternoon are deeply grateful for treating them with compassion and respect.

"This afternoon there was a robust discussion that took place and the Bayoh family are encouraged that the chief constable welcomes the setting up of a public inquiry.

"The chief constable thanked the Bayoh family for the dignity they have shown and the campaign which has ultimately led to a public Inquiry.

"The chief constable assured the family that Police Scotland will co-operate fully with the inquiry to ensure that all lessons are learnt."

In November, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf announced a public inquiry into Mr Bayoh's death.

The inquiry will examine the circumstances leading up to and following his death and try to establish the role his race may have played in it.

Mr Bayoh, a trainee gas engineer originally from Sierra Leone, died after being restrained by up to six uniformed officers in a street near his home in the Fife town on 3 May 2015.

Police had received reports of a man behaving erratically and brandishing a knife in the street.

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His family's lawyer said he was not carrying a weapon when he was stopped, although the BBC understands a knife was later found nearby.

The 31-year-old, who had taken the drugs MDMA and Flakka, was found to have suffered 23 separate injuries.

The incident was sent to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner which provided its report to the Lord Advocate three months after Mr Bayoh's death, and a supplementary report took a further year.

The family waited more than two years to discover whether prosecutors would bring charges against police officers as a result.

In November, the Crown Office said there would be no criminal charges against any police officers and the public inquiry was ordered.

At the time a spokesman said it had been "a complex investigation", and acknowledged it had been a "difficult time" for Mr Bayoh's family and all those involved.

"The crown has conducted this investigation with professionalism, integrity and respect," he added.

Civil action

The family are already suing Police Scotland in a civil action on the grounds that Mr Bayoh's death could have been avoided.

They said CCTV and phone footage cast doubt on claims made by officers about events leading up to his death.

They have described the decision not to prosecute the officers as a "betrayal of justice".

The Crown Office said the decision not to prosecute had been taken after a "thorough review" of all the available evidence.

The officers involved have always denied any wrongdoing.

Police Scotland has been approached for a comment.