The legal battle between the family of Sheku Bayoh, who tragically passed away while in police custody in Fife nine years ago, and Police Scotland has come to a close with a civil settlement. Mr. Bayoh, 31, was restrained on the ground by six officers in Kirkcaldy in May 2015, leading his relatives to seek £1.85m in damages over what they deemed as an “unlawful killing.”
While no admission of liability was made by the force, a joint statement from the family’s lawyers and Police Scotland confirmed that a civil settlement had been reached. Chief Constable Jo Farrell of Police Scotland recently met with Mr. Bayoh’s family members and offered an apology for the challenges they have faced.
Furthermore, a public inquiry is currently underway to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the father-of-two and to determine if race played a role in the tragic incident. Despite the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) opting not to prosecute the officers involved, Aamer Anwar, the solicitor representing the Bayoh family, emphasized the ongoing pursuit of truth and justice as the tenth anniversary of Sheku’s passing approaches.
In response to the settlement, the Scottish Police Federation expressed surprise and refrained from making additional comments until the inquiry progresses further. They maintained that the officers acted reasonably and in the public interest given the perceived threat posed by Mr. Bayoh during the confrontation. The legal implications surrounding this case highlight the complexities and challenges within law enforcement oversight and accountability
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