Sheku Family: "Why Are Police Lying?"

The family of Sheku Bayoh say they've lost faith in PIRC, who are investigating his death in police custody.

Relatives claim they've been continually lied to and just want to find out what happened on the morning of May 3rd. It's alleged Police in Fife gave them five different versions of events and still haven't apologised for doing so.

The 31-year-old was detained by officers at the junction of Hendry Road and Hayfield Road in Kirkcaldy while walking to a bus stop. He was on his way to collect his son from his mother's house in Dunfermline. He died while in the custody of a number of officers.

Police Scotland say the investigation is now in the hands of the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner, Kate Frame. Sheku's family will meet with her today.

Ade Johnson, Sheku's brother in law, says his family have faced 'baseless and unsubstantiated rumours' about Sheku's involvement in drugs and violence.

Family members are angry that no apology has been received over the young father's death. That's despite Sir Stephen House, the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, apologising over another incident earlier this year, for which the police have come under fire:

Among the rumours circulating about Sheku's death have been that he was a gang member. Ade says, because of the nature of his circle of friends, this would have been impossible:

Ade is calling on the Scottish Government to raise the subject among the Social Justice Committee. He says he's concerned with the rhetoric of Scotland being branded "a fairer society":

A march is planned for Sunday 6th September to mark four months since Sheku's death. The event will commence at Town House, Kirkcaldy at 2 pm with a few short speeches before the march sets off, which will roughly follow the route of his funeral, but in reverse. The march will proceed down Whytehouse Avenue, along the pedestrianised zone of the High Street, up Kirk Wynd and along St Brycedale Avenue, pausing outside Kirkcaldy Police Station before proceeding up Bennochy Road, then Hendry Road.

It will finish at Gallagher's, where there will be stalls representing the trades unions and community organisations which support the campaign. There will be family-friendly entertainment upstairs in Gallagher's until around 7 pm.

Organisers are advising that anyone who wishes to pay their respects to the deceased or support the Justice for Sheku Bayoh Campaign is welcome to attend. Several hundred people are expected.

Meanwhile, The Police Investigations & Review Commissioner (PIRC) has issued a statement ahead of today's meeting.

Kate Frame said: “I fully empathise with the deceased’s family and their need for answers in relation to the circumstances surrounding the death of Sheku Bayoh on 3 May 2015.

“I’m looking forward to meeting with the Bayoh family on Thursday and welcome the opportunity to discuss my role as Commissioner and the investigation process.

“I will listen to the concerns that the family have raised recently and update them on the further work that is being undertaken before the matter is fully reported to the Lord Advocate.

“I’m also keen to receive any additional information from them which they consider might be relevant to the ongoing investigation.

“I fully recognise the family’s need for a clear understanding of what caused Sheku Bayoh’s death, and despite the fact that the post mortem conducted shortly after his death was inconclusive, I remain committed to thoroughly investigating all lines of enquiry.”