Sheku Bayoh: PIRC 'Power Issues' Raised At Holyrood

The Scottish Government is set to be pressed on whether the police watchdog has enough power to deal with serious cases.

Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Claire Baker, will ask the Scottish Parliament for the Scottish Government's position on the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC), and to ask whether Ministers believe it has a sufficient range of powers.

It comes following the death of Sheku Bayoh while in police custody in Kirkcaldy on Sunday May 3, and it has taken at least five weeks for those involved to give statements to PIRC.

Mr Bayoh's family say officers told them five different versions of what happened on the day of the father of two's death.

The PIRC was set up in 2013 as a counter balance to the newly formed single Police force, after the merger of the country's eight regional constabularies.

Mrs Baker says it is the first "big case" it has had to deal with:

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) says it would be inappropriate to comment further in the midst of a live investigation.
 
But it is continuing to appeal for anyone who was in the Hayfield Road area, near Hendry Road, Kirkcaldy, between 7am and 8am on Sunday May 3 to come forward.
 
A spokesman said: "The PIRC is investigating the circumstances of the death, including the man's contact with police officers prior to his death."
 
Anyone with information is asked to contact PIRC on 01698 542 929 or 01698 543 291.