Sheku Bayoh Probe on Brink of Collapse as Calls Grow for Smaller-Scale FAI

A landmark fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the death of Sheku Bayoh, who died after being restrained by police in 2015, could be concluded in just eight weeks, a police lawyer has claimed. The inquiry, which has cost £50 million, has been plagued by controversy, including the resignation of its chair, Lord Bracadale, over claims of impartiality. Professor Peter Watson, who represented the Scottish Police Federation at the inquiry, said a smaller-scale FAI was now "inevitable" to bring the farce to a conclusion.

Key Takeaways:

• The five-year Sheku Bayoh public inquiry, which has cost £26.2 million so far, is on the brink of collapse after the top lawyers quit when Lord Bracadale resigned over bias claims.
• Professor Peter Watson, a police lawyer, claims an FAI could be concluded in just eight weeks, agreeing on a joint minute that would cover evidence from earlier hearings.
• The Law Society of Scotland states that the average cost of a fatal accident inquiry in 2018-19 was £6,354.
• Police Scotland had called for a judicial review to ensure a broader scope for the public inquiry, which could have examined the Crown Office's decision not to prosecute officers involved.
• The Bayoh family's lawyer, Aamer Anwar, claims nothing improper took place and has accused the Federation, force chiefs, and the Crown Office of sabotaging the inquiry.
• The Scottish Government is committed to establishing the relevant facts surrounding Mr Bayoh's death and is urgently considering the situation going forward.

Statistics:

• The Sheku Bayoh public inquiry has cost £26.2 million so far, plus £24.3 million spent by Police Scotland.
• The average cost of a fatal accident inquiry in 2018-19 was £6,354 (Law Society of Scotland).
• If the FAI lasts for eight weeks, it would cost approximately £20,000 (based on an average cost of £6,354).
• The public inquiry has been running for five years and its first public hearings were not held until May 2022.

Sources:

• Professor Peter Watson, a police lawyer, as quoted by The Scottish Sun on Sunday.
• The Law Society of Scotland, cited in a report on fatal accident inquiry costs.
• The Scottish Government, statement released in response to the crisis.
• Sheku Bayoh's family, including lawyer Aamer Anwar, as quoted in The Scottish Sun on Sunday.
• The Scottish Sun on Sunday's article, "Death in custody ... Mr Bayoh".
• "The Sun on Sunday Says" article, "CAPTION(S): Death in custody ... Mr Bayoh".