Sheku Bayoh Inquiry Chair Resigns Amid Judicial Review

Lord Bracadale resigned as chair of the statutory inquiry into the 2015 death of Sheku Bayoh after criticism over private meetings he held with the family. The Scottish Police Federation has launched a judicial review, saying the meetings created an appearance of bias and rendered his position untenable. Bracadale said many core participants had lost confidence and that any report he produced would risk damaging public confidence, urging ministers to appoint a new chair to consider the evidence already gathered. The resignation disrupts the inquiry as it moves toward its closing stages and means a replacement will be needed to review taped and transcribed evidence. Bayoh’s family, represented by Aamer Anwar, said they were devastated and argued the inquiry had revealed systemic failures, racism and excessive force. The SPF said it looked forward to bringing the matter to a conclusion.