Sheku Bayoh lawyer says justice system ‘institutionally racist’

PA Media The lawyer representing the family of a black man who died in police custody has described Scotland’s criminal justice system as “institutionally racist”. Aamer Anwar said he initially advised Sheku Bayoh’s relatives to trust the Crown Office and Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) in their investigation and not mention race as a factor as they would be “attacked” for doing so. But Mr Anwar, 56, said the institutions “failed to deliver truth, justice and accountability” during their probes into the 31-year-old’s death following a confrontation with police in Kirkcaldy on 3 May 2015. A public inquiry is examining the circumstances surrounding his death, how it was investigated and whether race played a factor. POLICE SCOTLAND Mr Anwar, who has been representing Mr Bayoh’s family free of charge for more than four years, said he had suffered a nervous breakdown and had threats made against his life during the case. He also said he had a panic alarm and CCTV cameras installed in his house after being forced to move due to the fallout. Mr Anwar and Mr Bayoh’s family launched their campaign for a public inquiry in July 2015, almost three months after his death. In their...