Public Inquiry
Sheku Bayoh Inquiry
Status: Ongoing
Chair: Lord Colbeck
Established: Nov 2020
Commissioned by: Scottish Government
Inquiry into the death of Sheku Bayoh following contact with Police Scotland officers in Kirkcaldy on 3 May 2015. Lord Bracadale (original chair) resigned 21 October 2025 after disclosure of five private meetings with the Bayoh family; the entire legal …
Key facts
Duration (ongoing): 5 years, 8 months
Total cost: £26.2m
Reports & milestones
Reports
No reports listed.
Timeline
12 Nov 2019
Inquiry Announced
Lord Advocate announced a public inquiry into the death of Sheku Bayoh.
12 Nov 2019
Chair Appointed
Lord Bracadale appointed as Chair of the Inquiry.
30 Nov 2020
Inquiry Begins
Inquiry formally began examining events surrounding Mr Bayoh's death.
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10 May 2022
Evidential Hearin…
Public evidence hearings commenced in Edinburgh.
09 Oct 2024
Additional Hearin…
Additional hearing dates held in October 2024.
21 Oct 2025
Chair resigns
Lord Bracadale resigned as Chair, stating the best interests of the inquiry would be served by a new …
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02 Mar 2026
New chair takes o…
Lord Colbeck took up appointment as Chair, announced by Scottish Ministers on 14 January 2026.
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Show all 9 milestones
31 Mar 2026
Written closing s…
The Chair invited written closing submissions from core participants, with no oral closing hearing; the completion deadline was …
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