Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
Police Scotland is taking the Scottish government to court over the proposed extension to the terms of reference of the inquiry into the death of Sheku Bayoh, who died after being restrained by police in 2015. The move was prompted by a call from the Bayoh family’s lawyer, Aamer Anwar, and others for the inquiry to include how the Crown made its decision not to prosecute the officers involved. Bayoh’s family is also questioning whether race might have been an issue in the incident.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said last year that it would not take legal action against the officers, while the Scottish government launched a public inquiry into the matter. The inquiry, which has been beset with delays, began in 2019 and has yet to report. The Bayoh family has criticised Police Scotland, saying that the judicial review represents a betrayal and urged Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes to extend the scope of the inquiry.
Police Scotland has also voiced reservations about how the proposed extension is being handled. Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said that relevant material had not been sufficiently shared. He explained that Police Scotland had “no desire to enter legal proceedings” but that the chief constable supported the inquiry to “provide answers for Sheku’s family and friends”. The Crown Office said that it was respectful of the family and other inquiry participants, while the Scottish Government stated that it would not comment on ongoing proceedings.
The case is significant in that it raises serious questions about government accountability and how public authorities can be held to account. The question of whether race played a factor in Bayoh’s death, coupled with the decision not to prosecute the officers involved, has raised concerns among many in Scotland. This case is likely to raise further questions about that decision as well as the overall handling of the case
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.