Troubled Sheku Bayoh public inquiry drafts in UK's top expert amid fears it could collapse
The public inquiry guru has previously represented clients in the Shipman Inquiry, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry
NEW APPOINTMENT Troubled Sheku Bayoh public inquiry drafts in UK's top expert amid fears it could collapse
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A MAJOR probe into the death of a man in police custody has drafted in the UK's leading public inquiry expert amid fears it could collapse.
Jason Beer KC was confirmed as new senior counsel of the troubled Sheku Bayoh Inquiry on Tuesday.
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Jason Beer KC was confirmed as new senior counsel of the public inquiry
Credit: PA
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Sheku Bayoh's family along with lawyer Aamer Anwar
Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing
His appointment could send costs of the £24million inquiry spiralling further despite Police Scotland agreeing to a secret settlement with Mr Bayoh's family.
It is understood Mr Beer will lead the work around the hearings which will examine whether Lord Bracadale's conduct during the inquiry has been fair.
These will take place on June 12 and 13, the Inquiry website states.
A source close to the inquiry said: 'It seems Lord Bracadale and the Scottish Government now realise there is a major problem regarding the allegations of a lack of fairness, and that Mr Beer's appointment is a last-ditch attempt to keep the ship on course.
'There is also the question of Mr Beer's fees, which will only add to the current cost to taxpayers of nearly £24million.'
The London lawyer is already working for counter-terrorism police as part of the inquiry into the Southport terror attack and as the main lawyer for NHS England in the inquiry into how Lucy Letby was allowed to murder seven babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
The public inquiry guru has previously represented clients in the Shipman Inquiry into the murders by serial killer doc Harold Shipman, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and was the lead lawyer for the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry into wrongly prosecuted subpostmasters.
The Sheku Bayoh Inquiry was launched after Mr Bayoh died in Kirkcaldy, Fife, in 2015 after being restrained by six officers.
Chair of the inquiry Lord Bracadale is considering whether to step down after the Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, raised concerns over his impartiality.
SPF general secretary David Kennedy said in April: 'We have lost confidence in the inquiry and consider it necessary to petition for judicial review.'
He is set to seek opinions at a hearing in June and if the judge quits, a significant delay in issuing the inquiry's findings is expected.
Bayoh family lawyer Aamer Anwar branded the move by the SPF 'beneath contempt'.
Cops insisted the out-of court settlement struck with Mr Bayoh's relatives represented 'best value' - but refused to say how much had been paid out.
A spokeswoman for the Inquiry said: 'The Inquiry is delighted to welcome Jason Beer KC to the team. Mr Beer has a wealth of valuable experience across public inquiries and we look forward to working with him in the weeks to come.'
Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr MSP said: 'Huge amounts of taxpayers' money have already been spent on this inquiry and this latest appointment will clearly add further expense.
'Given the extreme pressures on public finances the SNP need to come clean about what is truly happening with the Sheku Bayoh inquiry and guarantee answers will be delivered for all involved.'
The Scottish Government have been contacted for comment.
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