Scotland’s Solicitor General, Ruth Charteris KC, has formally accused Lord Bracadale, the chair of the public inquiry into the 2015 death of Sheku Bayoh, of “apparent bias.” The accusation stems from Lord Bracadale’s private meetings with Bayoh’s family and the alleged unequal sharing of information. Charteris contends that these actions may undermine the impartiality of the inquiry.
The Sheku Bayoh Inquiry, established to investigate the circumstances surrounding Bayoh’s death in police custody, has been marked by tensions between various parties. The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) has also expressed concerns, arguing that Lord Bracadale’s conduct could erode public trust in the process. In response, Jason Beer KC, counsel for the inquiry, defended the chair’s actions, describing the meetings as routine and asserting that the bias allegations are factually incorrect.
Bayoh’s family lawyer, Aamer Anwar, has condemned the allegations as attempts to sabotage the inquiry and avoid accountability. He emphasized the importance of the inquiry in addressing issues of police conduct and potential racial bias.
Despite calls for Lord Bracadale’s resignation, Chief Constable Jo Farrell has expressed support for the continuation of the inquiry. The debate underscores the challenges in balancing the need for impartiality with maintaining public confidence, particularly in cases involving sensitive issues such as race and police conduct.
The inquiry, having cost £50 million and gathered testimony over 122 days, remains a critical process in seeking justice and accountability. As the investigation progresses, the resolution of these allegations will be pivotal in determining the credibility and effectiveness of the inquiry.
