Sheku Bayoh inquiry faces turmoil amid bias claims

The Sheku Bayoh public inquiry has been thrown into uncertainty after it was revealed that the chair, Lord Bracadale, held five private meetings with Bayoh’s family, prompting allegations of bias from the Scottish Police Federation (SPF). The SPF has petitioned for a judicial review, arguing these undisclosed meetings have compromised the inquiry's transparency and fairness for all core participants. Lord Bracadale is set to consider whether he should step down at a hearing this summer, with any departure likely to cause significant delays. Supporters of the Bayoh family, including their solicitor and the inquiry’s own legal counsel, argue that such engagement with victims' families is standard in public inquiries and vital for maintaining their confidence. Critics, however, contend that other core participants were neither informed of nor included in these meetings, raising concerns about impartiality. The inquiry, established to examine the circumstances and potential racial factors in Bayoh's 2015 death in police custody, is now at risk of further delay and escalating costs.