PIRC Contradicts Police Over Sheku Arrest Interviews

The row over Sheku Bayoh's death in police custody has escalated.

The Kirkcaldy man died last month in an incident involving several officers and in which a policewoman was injured. 

On Tuesday, the union representing the arresting officers criticised the lawyer representing Bayoh's family.Professor Peter Watson of PBW Law - representing the Police Federation - said:

“The comments made by those representing the family of the deceased continue to promote a completely inaccurate and misleading account. The officer injured remains off work, has had several hospital visits and is now in rehabilitation. An examination by a leading Consultant confirms her injuries were significant. The injuries have been documented and photographed.

“The officers involved have never refused to provide statements. It was agreed at the outset with PIRC that they would revert to us when they wanted statements and when they were clear on the basis that statements were to be given. PIRC emailed me this morning at 10:46am asking for our assistance to organise interviews and we answered at 11:29am confirming we would be pleased to assist.  Those are the facts.”

But today. the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner (PIRC) said since the hours following Sheku's death on Sunday 3 May 2015, it had made several attempts to secure statements from the arresting officers, including that attempt two days ago, and that those officers have only now agreed to provide statements to the PIRC

We approached the Scottish Police Federation for a statement in response - they said "no comment".