The Scottish Police Federation which represents rank and file has expressed ‘surprise’ after the chief Constable of Police Scotland agreed an out-of-court settlement with the family of Sheku Bayoh.
Sheku Bayohoh died after he was restrained by around six police officers who were called to Hayfield Road in Kirkcaldy, on May 3, 2015 following reports of a man armed with a knife.
Following an investigation, the Crown Office decided not to take legal action against the police officers involved in the incident.
The settlement was agreed without any admission of liability by Police Scotland, the family’s lawyer Aamer Anwar confirmed.
No details of the settlement were released.
Mr Anwar said: “On May 3 it will be the tenth anniversary of Sheku’s death in police custody, however the struggle for the truth continues.
“As we reach the final stages of the public inquiry, those who broke the law should remember there is no time limit on justice. There will be no further comment today.”
However in a statement the federation pointed out that Mr Bayoh had taken illegal drugs, engaged in a fight with a friend, armed himself with a large knife before punching a female police officer to the ground.
The also stated that the clear position of the officers involved in the apprehension of Mr Bayoh is that they acted reasonably, in the public interest in all the circumstances, given the danger that he presented.
The full statement read: “The SPF is surprised to find that the Chief Constable has decided to settle this claim.
“The Bayoh family’s solicitor has said that “those who broke the law should remember there is no time limit on justice.
“However, the only person who can be said indisputably to have broken the law is Sheku Bayoh.
“On any view of the evidence, he took illicit drugs, engaged in a fight with a friend, armed himself with a large knife and then took to the streets of Kirkcaldy, where he terrified many members of the public who asked the police to help before assaulting a petite female police officer by punching her to the ground.
“These are facts which are wholly unchallenged.
“As the inquiry continues, it would be inappropriate to say any more at this stage, other than to remind the public that the clear position of the officers involved in the apprehension of Mr Bayoh is that they acted reasonably, in the public interest in all the circumstances, given the danger that he presented.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
