logo
Sheku Bayoh family member receives over £1m in compensation from Police Scotland

Sheku Bayoh family member receives over £1m in compensation from Police Scotland

STV News5 days ago

Ten members of the family of Sheku Bayoh have received compensation from Police Scotland, including a single award of more than £1 million.
In March, almost ten years after Mr Bayoh's death, his family resolved the civil action first raised in May 2018 after reaching an out-of-court settlement concerning his death.
The settlement was agreed without any admission of liability by Police Scotland, the family's lawyer Aamer Anwar confirmed.
Sheku Bayoh, a father-of-two, died after he was restrained by around six police officers who were called to reports of a man carrying a knife on Hayfield Road in Kirkcaldy on May 3, 2015.
Officers restrained him by his legs and arms, used CS spray or tear gas and batons and were accused of using excessive force.
Mr Bayoh lost consciousness after being restrained and was pronounced dead in hospital.
His family launched a civil action against Police Scotland three years later and an ongoing public inquiry was launched to examine the circumstances leading to the death and whether or not race was a factor.
It has now been revealed that up to ten members of the family have received compensation from Police Scotland, including a single award of more than £1m.
The figure appears in a report for the Scottish Police Authority's (SPA) legal committee under the heading 'public liability claims'.
The SPA report said 'quarter 4 saw the settlement of a very large litigation that involved several pursuers'.
The total figure for all relatives of Mr Bayoh was not revealed, but in 2018, Mr Anwar said the action for damages in the Court of Session was for £1.85m.
The settlement was agreed without any admission of liability by Police Scotland, the lawyer confirmed, who previously said that Mr Bayoh's case was a 'national disgrace'.
'On May 3, it will be the tenth anniversary of Sheku's death in police custody, however the struggle for the truth continues,' he previously said.
'As we reach the final stages of the Public Inquiry, those who broke the law should remember there is no time limit on justice. There will be no further comment today.'
The Scottish Police Federation, the body that represents rank and file officers, said it was 'surprised' by the chief constable's decision to settle the claim against the force.
A spokesperson said: 'The only person who can be said indisputably to have broken the law is Sheku Bayoh.
'On any view of the evidence, he took illegal drugs, engaged in a fight with a friend, armed himself with a large knife and then took to the streets of Kirkcaldy, where he terrified many members of the public who asked the police to help before assaulting a female police officer by punching her to the ground.
'These are facts which are wholly unchallenged.
'As the inquiry continues, it would be inappropriate to say any more at this stage, other than to remind the public that the clear position of the officers involved in the apprehension of Mr Bayoh is that they acted reasonably, in the public interest in the circumstances, given the danger that he presented.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Schoolgirl rushed to hospital after being hit by car on busy Glasgow road
Schoolgirl rushed to hospital after being hit by car on busy Glasgow road

Daily Record

timean hour ago

  • Daily Record

Schoolgirl rushed to hospital after being hit by car on busy Glasgow road

An 11-year-old girl has been rushed to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital after being struck by a car in Glasgow. A schoolgirl has been rushed to hospital after being hit by a car in Glasgow. Emergency crews rushed to the incident on Firhill Road, in the Maryhill area, at around 8.20pm on Tuesday, June 10. ‌ An 11-year-old girl was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment where her condition remains unclear at this stage. ‌ The road reopened at around 1am today (Wednesday June 11) after being left closed for around five hours. Police Scotland has now urged anyone with information to get in touch. A spokesperson said: "Around 8.20pm on Tuesday, 10 June, 2025, we were called to a report of a crash involving a car and a pedestrian on Firhill Road, Glasgow. Emergency services attended and the pedestrian, an 11-year-old girl, was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment. "Road closures were put in place to allow officers to carry out enquiries. The road reopened around 1am on Wednesday, 11 June. "Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101 quoting reference 3450 of 10 June, 2025." ‌ We previously reported, in a separate incident, that police were appealing for witnesses following a schoolboy being in a "serious condition" in hospital after being hit by a car near an school in Edinburgh. The seven-year-old was struck by a blue Land Rover Discovery on Ferry Road in the capital at around 6.35pm on Friday May 30. It is understood the crash took place near Oaklands Primary School. He was rushed to the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People where his injuries are serious but not described as life threatening. The driver was uninjured. ‌ Cops remain at the scene and a cordon has been erected while they carry out full enquiries. An investigation has also been launched into the crash. Images from the scene show several police cars in the residential area and police tape cornering off the scene. ‌ The Force are now appealing for witnesses to come forward. Sergeant Fraser Mitchell said: 'Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this incident, and I would urge anyone with information to come forward. 'I am also keen to speak to any drivers who were in the area at the time and may have dashcam footage which has captured something of significance.' A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "We were made aware of a collision involving a car and a seven-year-old male pedestrian which happened on Ferry Road in Edinburgh shortly after 6.35pm on Friday, 30 May. ‌ "The boy has been taken to the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People for treatment. His injuries are serious but not described as life threatening. Anyone with information is urged to call Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference number 3229 of 30 May, 2025. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

West Lothian 'cannabis farm' found after police raid home on quiet street
West Lothian 'cannabis farm' found after police raid home on quiet street

Edinburgh Live

timean hour ago

  • Edinburgh Live

West Lothian 'cannabis farm' found after police raid home on quiet street

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Get the latest Edinburgh Live breaking news on WhatsApp A West Lothian man has been arrested after a cannabis farm was allegedly found. Police say they made the discovery on Tuesday at around 10.45am in Livingston. Officers found the 'cannabis cultivation' on Sutherland Way. A 32-year-old male has been charged in connection, and is due to appear in court on Wednesday. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "A 32-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with drug offences in Livingston. "A cannabis cultivation was discovered around 10.45am on Tuesday, 10 June, 2025, at Sutherland Way. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal and the man is expected to appear at Livingston Sheriff Court on Wednesday, June 11. Police Constable Michael Fairbanks said: "We remain committed to reducing the impact of drugs on individuals, families and communities in Livingston." Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox

Gender row Scotland: Public 'none the wiser' about Police Scotland's gender ruling stance
Gender row Scotland: Public 'none the wiser' about Police Scotland's gender ruling stance

Scotsman

time4 hours ago

  • Scotsman

Gender row Scotland: Public 'none the wiser' about Police Scotland's gender ruling stance

Concern raised over public confidence in Police Scotland and its stance on the gender ruling from the Supreme Court. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... People are still 'none the wiser' as to how Scotland's national police force has amended its policies in light of the landmark Supreme Court ruling on gender, according to a board member of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA). The comment made at a SPA committee meeting on Tuesday comes amid warnings the force's stance risked impacting its operational impact and public confidence. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Katharina Kasper said while Police Scotland was working in a 'dynamic environment', she had a 'degree of frustration' that after the Supreme Court ruling, its position was still unclear. Celebrations outside the Supreme Court in London after the ruling on gender. Picture:Addressing a meeting of the SPA's policing performance committee, which discussed the ongoing review in relation to sex and gender within Scottish policing, Ms Kasper said: 'For a member of the public at this stage looking at this, I don't think anybody is still none the wiser as to whether or not the Supreme Court judgement, which was very, very clear, has been adopted into Police Scotland's policies 'When it comes to recording the sex or gender of people who come into contact with the police, what is the current policy?' Asking if there was a 'policy vacuum", Ms Kasper, who also chairs the SPA's complaints and conduct committee, said while she understood the reasons for the process taking time, she had misgivings about the knock-on effects. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Police Scotland officers | PA 'I am concerned about the operational implications on this,' she said. 'I'm concerned about the public confidence in Police Scotland because this process has been taking so long, and I'm also concerned about the impact on officers and staff.' The force's deputy chief constable, Alan Speirs, said last month that Police Scotland planned to bring forward an 'extensive and advanced' document to this week's SPA meeting. But the six page-long document in question does not set out a definitive stance, noting the force was continuing with its ongoing review. The report, prepared by Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton, states: 'It is critical that we take time to consider all relevant legislation, national guidance and stakeholder feedback, to ensure our proposals are well-informed and evidence based. Our aim is to conduct this review carefully and to do it right and in a way which builds trust and confidence across all communities.' Reflecting on the report, Ms Kasper said she was 'a little bit disappointed' by it. She said: 'We had been promised a substantial product by DCC Spiers and having read this paper, it is an interim update on all the work that's been done. But I'm still none the wiser as to the actual substance of the issue.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Responding to Ms Kasper's criticisms, Ms Paton stressed 'context is everything', telling her: 'I appreciate your comments around the approach we've taken and I certainly acknowledge aspects of your frustration around pace. 'I think the Chief [Constable Jo Farrell] also acknowledged the desire for people to move quickly in this space, and the importance to get it right when we do that. Policing is not immune to the reality and the complexity of this, around how our terminology and understanding, as it is related to sex and gender, has changed, has at times been used interchangeably.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store