The financial burden of a stalled public inquiry into the death of a man in police custody is escalating dramatically, with costs increasing by approximately £200,000 each month – despite the fact that no evidence has been heard for an extended period.
Mounting Taxpayer Expenditure
Newly released figures reveal that the running total for the Sheku Bayoh inquiry has risen from £26,249,080 to £26,848,616 between the end of September and December 31 last year. This represents an increase of around £600,000 over three months, averaging £200,000 per month.
This substantial spending continues even though the inquiry effectively came to a halt last year, with only a 'core team' working to 'ensure continuity' in the proceedings. The inquiry has been paused apart from this minimal operational activity.
Leadership Changes and Controversy
Earlier this month, it was announced that judge Lord Colbeck will replace Lord Bracadale, who stepped down last October. Lord Bracadale's departure followed controversy over private meetings with the family of Mr Bayoh, which sparked allegations of potential bias in the inquiry process.
The £26.8 million figure covers only the direct costs of running the inquiry itself. When including expenditure by police and prosecutors related to the case, the overall price-tag has exceeded £50 million, creating significant financial implications for justice budgets.
Political Criticism and Concerns
Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr has voiced strong criticism of the escalating costs. He stated: 'Serious questions must be asked as to why this inquiry is still spending so much taxpayers' money at a time when the pause button has been pressed on proceedings.'
'While this inquiry is important, the SNP cannot allow the costs of it to spiral completely out of control. The soaring levels of spending will undoubtedly be putting even more strain on justice budgets which are already under huge pressure after years of SNP cuts.'
Background of the Case
Sheku Bayoh, a 31-year-old father of two, died on May 3, 2015, after being restrained by six police officers in Kirkcaldy. His death sparked allegations of racism and police brutality, leading to the establishment of the public inquiry in 2019 by then Scottish justice secretary Humza Yousaf.
In March last year, relatives of Mr Bayoh halted an attempt to sue Police Scotland after reaching an out-of-court settlement that included a single award of more than £1 million in relation to his death.
Inquiry Challenges and Future Proceedings
The Edinburgh-based inquiry faced significant crisis last year when the entire legal team resigned following Lord Bracadale's departure. Five lawyers stepped down after the Scottish Police Federation, representing rank-and-file officers, raised concerns about potential bias stemming from private meetings with Mr Bayoh's family.
Lord Colbeck now faces the substantial task of reviewing all evidence heard so far – a process that could take several months before the inquiry can potentially resume its formal proceedings.
Government Response and Independence
The Scottish Government has emphasized the independent nature of public inquiries, stating: 'Public inquiries operate independently of government and the chair has a legal duty to avoid unnecessary costs.' This statement underscores the delicate balance between thorough investigation and fiscal responsibility in such sensitive cases.
The ongoing expenditure raises important questions about the management of public inquiries during periods of procedural pause, particularly when substantial public funds continue to be allocated despite halted evidentiary proceedings.
