Sheku Bayoh’s family expect police to ‘tell the whole truth’, says lawyer

The family of a man who died after being restrained by police expect to hear “the whole truth”, their lawyer said as one of the officers called to the scene begins giving evidence to an inquiry.

Sheku Bayoh died on May 3, 2015 after he was detained by officers in Kirkcaldy, Fife.

An inquiry into his death will on Thursday hear evidence from Pc Craig Walker.

As Mr Bayoh’s family arrived for the hearing at Capital House in Edinburgh, their solicitor Aamer Anwar said: “This morning is the start of a critical week of evidence, the family have waited seven years to hear the truth.

“Police officers who will be attending this case today, and in the coming days, are those involved in the restraint of Sheku Bayoh who died in police custody.

“The family expect police officers to do their duty to speak with candour and to tell the whole truth. That is what police officers are expected to do in this country.”

Lord Bracadale will continue to hear evidence from Inspector Steven Stewart, the duty officer in the area control room on the day of the incident, before Pc Walker is questioned.