The remit of the independent public inquiry into the death of
Sheku Bayoh will remain unchanged, Deputy First Minister has announced.
In an update to Mr Bayoh's family and other parties involved in
the statutory inquiry, Ms Forbes said she had reached the
decision after careful consideration of all points raised during
a consultation process.
It followed the family's request for the terms of reference to be
extended beyond the current remit – examining the circumstances
of Mr Bayoh's death in police custody on 3 May 2015, the
subsequent investigation and whether race was a factor – to also
include the Crown's decisions not to bring any prosecutions in
2018 and 2019.
Ms Forbes said:
“Mr Bayoh's family continue to have my deepest condolences.
“As set out in legislation, I may amend the terms of reference if
I consider the public interest requires this. The Inquiry's Terms
of Reference were announced in May 2020, and I have decided it is
not in the public interest to extend the remit
almost five years later and after evidential hearings have
concluded.
“I hope that it is now possible for the Chair to deliver his
independent findings and recommendations as soon as possible.
“In all circumstances, a public inquiry is not permitted to
determine or rule on civil or criminal liability. Only the
Crown Office can reconsider prosecution and the Solicitor General
has reserved the right to do so.
“I am confident that the terms of reference, as announced in
2020, are sufficiently broad to allow the Chair to present a
substantial report with detailed findings and recommendations –
including on the investigation and the extent to which Mr Bayoh's
actual or perceived race was a factor.”
