Hearings to take evidence in the inquiry into the death in police custody of Sheku Bayoh, in May 2015, resumed in Edinburgh today.
I couldn’t attend this morning’s vigil due to a longstanding constituency engagement, but I sent a message of solidarity to Sheku’s courageous sister, Kadi Johnson, and other family members.
‘Friends, I send a message of support and solidarity as the Public Inquiry into Sheku Bayoh’s death in police custody begins again. I have followed this case from its shocking beginning – over 7 years ago now.
And I am sure we are ALL deeply moved and grateful for the courage of Sheku’s family in pursuing the truth. They deserve the truth.
And Scotland needs the truth. We should not be afraid of it.
As James Baldwin said ‘Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.’
Sheku’s family are risking so much to help us learn the truth – to face the reality of what happened, and to make the changes needed to ensure that what happened to Sheku NEVER happens to another Scottish citizen again.’
