A former judge who is chairing a £50m public inquiry into the death of a man in police custody will hear arguments on Thursday on whether he should step down or see the job through. The Scottish Police Federation has accused Lord Bracadale of holding "secret" meetings with the family of Sheku Bayoh, who died after being restrained by police in Kirkcaldy in 2015. The organisation which represents rank and file officers believes the five meetings could lead to "perceived bias" and has called for him to "recuse" himself. Lord Bracadale has been leading the inquiry since 2020 and ordered the hearing to allow core participants to make submissions on his conduct. If Lord Bracadale decides to stay in post, the federation has said it will seek a judicial review. His departure and the search for a last minute replacement after five years of work would delay the inquiry's findings by many months. It has already cost the public purse £24.8m, with an additional £24.3m spent by Police Scotland, including £17.3m of legal costs. The stage is now set for a robust exchange of legal arguments between senior lawyers. Roddy Dunlop KC, dean of the Faculty of Advocates, will represent the police federation and two of the officers involved in the incident which ended with Mr Bayoh's death. The police federation has said that none of the other core participants were made aware that Lord Bracadale was meeting the family and the details of what was said have not been disclosed. The federation's general secretary David Kennedy has said it has lost confidence in the inquiry because not all core participants were being treated equally. The Bayoh family's solicitor Aamer Anwar has described the federation's actions as "a pathetic and desperate attempt to sabotage the inquiry" at the 11th hour. He claimed the hearing could cost taxpayers "in excess of a million pounds" in fees for "police lawyers." One of England's top barristers, Jason Beer KC, has been brought in as senior counsel for the inquiry itself. He is expected to argue that Lord Bracadale's actions were procedurally appropriate because of the importance of maintaining the family's confidence. Scotland's prosecution service, the Crown Office, will state its position, along with Police Scotland, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner and the Commission for Racial Equality and Rights. Lawyers representing other police officers involved in the case will also have the opportunity to have their say. The hearing is scheduled to last two days, with Lord Bracadale issuing his decision at a later date. The inquiry has been examining what happened before and during the death of Sheku Bayou, who died in police custody. It has been looking at how the police dealt with the aftermath, the investigation into Mr Bayoh's death and whether race was a factor. Members of the public called the police after Mr Bayoh was spotted carrying a knife and behaving erratically in the streets of Kirkcaldy on May 3, 2015. He wasn't carrying the knife when officers arrived at the scene but a violent confrontation followed, with up to six officers restraining the 31-year-old on the ground. The father-of-two lost consciousness and later died in hospital.
Hearing to decide whether Sheku Bayoh chair should resign
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Hearing to Determine Future of Inquiry Chair in Sheku Bayoh Case"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
The public inquiry into the death of Sheku Bayoh, who died in police custody in 2015, is currently facing significant scrutiny regarding the conduct of its chair, Lord Bracadale. On Thursday, a hearing will take place to deliberate whether he should resign or continue leading the inquiry, which has been ongoing since 2020. The Scottish Police Federation has raised concerns about Lord Bracadale's alleged 'secret' meetings with Bayoh's family, claiming that these interactions could create a perception of bias and undermine the integrity of the inquiry. The federation is advocating for Lord Bracadale to recuse himself from the case, arguing that not all core participants were informed of these meetings. They have expressed a loss of confidence in the inquiry's fairness, suggesting that the chair's actions have not treated all parties equitably. In response, Lord Bracadale has scheduled this hearing to allow for legal arguments to be presented regarding his conduct. If he chooses to remain in his position, the federation has indicated that it will seek a judicial review, which could further complicate an already lengthy process that has cost taxpayers nearly £50 million so far.
The inquiry is tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding Bayoh's death, including the police's handling of the situation and whether racial factors influenced the incident. Bayoh, who was reported to have been carrying a knife and behaving erratically, died after a violent confrontation with police, during which he was restrained by multiple officers. The inquiry's findings have been delayed, and the potential for Lord Bracadale's resignation raises concerns about further postponements. Legal representatives from various parties, including the police federation and the Bayoh family, will present their arguments over the two-day hearing. Notably, the inquiry has already incurred substantial legal costs, with estimates suggesting that further challenges could cost taxpayers an additional million pounds. The outcome of this hearing is pivotal, as it could determine the course of the inquiry and its ultimate findings regarding the tragic events surrounding Sheku Bayoh's death.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights a significant legal and ethical dilemma surrounding the public inquiry into the death of Sheku Bayoh while in police custody. The inquiry, chaired by Lord Bracadale, is facing scrutiny due to allegations of bias stemming from undisclosed meetings he held with Bayoh's family. This controversy raises questions about the integrity of the inquiry and its implications for public trust in law enforcement.
Accusations of Bias
The Scottish Police Federation's claims that Lord Bracadale has conducted "secret" meetings with the Bayoh family suggest a potential conflict of interest. Their call for him to step down stems from concerns that these meetings may compromise the impartiality of the inquiry. The fact that the details of these meetings were not made known to all core participants adds to the perception of bias, undermining the inquiry's credibility.
Financial Implications
The inquiry has already incurred substantial costs, amounting to nearly £25 million from public funds and additional expenses from Police Scotland. If Lord Bracadale is compelled to resign, it could lead to significant delays and further financial burdens on taxpayers. The mention of potential costs exceeding a million pounds for legal fees highlights the financial stakes involved, framing the outcome not just as a legal matter but as a public financial concern.
Legal Maneuvering
The article sets the stage for a tense legal confrontation, with senior lawyers representing opposing parties. The involvement of high-profile legal figures, such as Roddy Dunlop KC and Jason Beer KC, illustrates the high stakes of this inquiry. The legal discourse is expected to be heated, reflecting the broader implications of the case on police accountability and public trust.
Public Sentiment and Trust
Public confidence in the inquiry appears to be wavering, especially with the police federation expressing dissatisfaction with the process. Their general secretary's statements indicate a belief that not all parties are being treated equally, which could exacerbate public skepticism. The Bayoh family's lawyer's dismissive remarks regarding the police federation's actions suggest a deepening divide between the families affected by police actions and the police themselves.
Potential Societal Impact
This inquiry is pivotal not just for the Bayoh family, but for the broader community, as it touches on themes of police accountability and systemic reform. The outcome could influence public perceptions of law enforcement in Scotland, shaping discussions around police practices and oversight.
The article raises numerous questions regarding transparency, accountability, and the integrity of legal proceedings. It aims to inform the public of ongoing developments while implicitly calling for a resolution that honors the complexities of the case.
The reliability of the news is bolstered by the inclusion of multiple perspectives and the presentation of factual information regarding costs and the inquiry's history. However, the framing of the police federation's actions as "desperate" may indicate a bias in language that could sway public sentiment. Overall, while the article provides a comprehensive overview, the potential for bias in language and framing suggests a moderate level of manipulativeness.