Scotland’s troubled public inquiry into the death of Sheku Bayoh, a 31-year-old father of two who died in police custody in Kirkcaldy in May 2015, has been thrown into disarray following the resignation of its chairman and entire legal team. The fallout has intensified calls for transparency, justice, and urgent government action, with First Minister John Swinney publicly offering to meet the Bayoh family to address their concerns.
The crisis erupted on October 21, 2025, when Lord Bracadale, the judge appointed to chair the inquiry since its launch in November 2020, stepped down. His resignation came after months of mounting pressure from the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which had repeatedly questioned his impartiality over meetings with the Bayoh family. The SPF insisted that Lord Bracadale’s private discussions with the family—though initially refused—rendered his position “untenable.”
Lord Bracadale, in his resignation letter, stated, “As the judicial review process developed it became clear that the concerns about my conduct had not been allayed by my decision and that the criticisms have persisted. As a result, it is now clear to me that many of the core participants have lost confidence in my conduct of the Inquiry to such an extent that it cannot be retrieved.” According to BBC Scotland News, he emphasized that all evidence had now been led and the next phase would have been closing submissions.
Just two days after Lord Bracadale’s departure, the inquiry’s senior counsel—Angela Graham KC, Laura Thomson KC, and Jason Beer KC—along with junior counsel Rachel Barrett and Sarah Loosemore, also resigned. These lawyers had played a central role in questioning witnesses and steering the hearings. Their exit has left the inquiry in a precarious state, raising fears that progress made over the past five years could be undone or delayed by years.
The Sheku Bayoh inquiry was established to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death on May 3, 2015. On that day, police responded to public calls reporting Mr. Bayoh carrying a knife and behaving erratically on Hayfield Road in Kirkcaldy, Fife. When officers arrived, Mr. Bayoh was no longer carrying the knife, but a violent confrontation ensued. Up to six officers restrained him on the ground; he lost consciousness and later died in hospital. The case has become a flashpoint for debates over police conduct, racial discrimination, and institutional accountability in Scotland.
The Bayoh family has expressed deep frustration with the inquiry’s progress and the wider criminal justice system. They have requested another meeting with First Minister John Swinney and have even considered withdrawing from the inquiry, citing a sense of being “totally betrayed.” Their lawyer, Aamer Anwar, defended Lord Bracadale’s approach, stating, “There is nothing wrong with the chair treating a bereaved family with compassion and respect. But the treatment of Lord Bracadale by our institutionally racist criminal justice system is a warning to any judge who dares to act without fear or favour.”
In response, First Minister Swinney has sought to reassure the family and the public. Speaking to BBC Scotland News, he said, “I’d be happy to meet them again to consider these issues and to assure them of the importance that we attach to making sure that this inquiry is completed and that any of the lessons need to be learned are learned.” He added his gratitude for Lord Bracadale’s efforts, remarking, “Lord Bracadale has given the most extraordinary commitment to the inquiry and in my view has given outstanding service to the people of Scotland in taking forward this very difficult inquiry.”
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes is now leading efforts to determine the inquiry’s next steps. The Scottish government has confirmed that ministers will appoint Lord Bracadale’s replacement, who will in turn select a new legal team. The urgency is clear: there are mounting concerns that any further delay could erode public trust and prolong the pain for the Bayoh family.
Political pressure is also mounting from other quarters. Maggie Chapman, justice spokeswoman for the Scottish Green Party, has vowed to press the government to appoint a new chair as quickly as possible. She told the PA news agency, “We’ve been talking about this for years, it’s not like it’s an issue that’s just cropped up. The family needs justice. And I think it speaks to wider societal issues around discrimination in our public institutions.” Chapman warned it would be “devastating” if the inquiry’s leadership crisis is not resolved before the next Holyrood election.
The Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, has stood by its criticism of Lord Bracadale’s meetings with the Bayoh family, arguing that such private interactions jeopardized the inquiry’s impartiality. Their stance has been a source of controversy, with some arguing it reflects a defensive posture by police institutions wary of external scrutiny.
At the heart of the matter is a struggle to balance compassion for bereaved families with the need for scrupulous impartiality in public inquiries. Advocates for police reform and racial justice have pointed to the Bayoh case as emblematic of broader challenges facing Scotland’s criminal justice system. The inquiry’s collapse has reignited debate about how best to deliver truth, accountability, and healing in cases where public confidence has been severely shaken.
As the Scottish government works to restore momentum, the Bayoh family and their supporters are left waiting once again for answers. Their patience is wearing thin, and calls for justice are growing louder. The next few weeks are likely to be pivotal: the appointment of a new chair and legal team will be closely watched, not just by those directly affected but by all who see the inquiry as a test of Scotland’s commitment to fairness and equality before the law.
The inquiry into Sheku Bayoh’s death has already spanned five years, marked by painstaking evidence-gathering and emotional testimony. Now, with its leadership in flux, the path forward is uncertain. What remains clear is that the demand for justice—so long delayed—will not be silenced, and the outcome of this inquiry will resonate far beyond the walls of any courtroom or government office.
