Lord Advocate: Sheku Bayoh death involves ‘complex issues’

There are a number of “complex issues” to be taken into account in the investigation into Sheku Bayoh’s death, the Lord Advocate has told Mr Bayoh’s family.

Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland met with Mr Bayoh’s relatives in Edinburgh yesterday to discuss the ongoing investigation into the Kirkcaldy man’s controversial death in custody.

Solicitor Aamer Anwar attended the meeting alongside Collette Bell, Mr Bayoh’s partner; Kadijartu Johnson, his sister; Adeyemi Johnson, his brother-in-law; and Lorraine Bell, his mother-in-law.

The meeting took place a day after Mr Anwar announced Mr Bayoh’s family had lost faith in a Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) inquiry into the incident.

A statement released by the Crown Office after the meeting read: “The lord advocate today met with the family of Sheku Bayoh and updated them on the progress being made and the next steps for the investigation into his death.

“It comes after the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) submitted their interim report earlier this month.

“There remains work to be done by PIRC before their investigation is complete. The Crown will take the PIRC report into account when carrying out its own investigations and will assess whether or not there should be a criminal prosecution.”

It added: “In order for any criminal prosecution to happen, there must be sufficient evidence in law that a crime has been committed.

“The family have been advised, by the lord advocate, that as part of the ongoing investigation there are a number of complex issues relating to the cause of death and experts in the field have been instructed to assist in dealing with these issues.

“The lord advocate has reiterated the undertaking previously given to the family that the enquiry will be thorough and completed as soon as is possible.”

After the meeting, Mr Anwar said: “The Bayoh family expect the Lord Advocate to leave no stone unturned in the search for the truth. They retain faith in his ability to do so, but that that faith is not blind.”