STUDENTS and trade unions are to support the family of Sheku Bayoh in a rally and public meeting.

The Bayoh family expects to speak at the event which is expected to be held in Edinburgh University buildings as well as across the UK in the weeks ahead as their campaign continues four months after Mr Bayoh's death in police custody.

This week the family will speak at the Scottish Parliament, followed by a series of other meetings in Edinburgh and then at Westminster at the end of the month.

Family members, students, Edinburgh College EIS, Stand up to Racism campaigners and other union representatives including the Edinburgh Labour Party are supporting the event planned for Thursday, October 22.

Details of the Holyrood appearance as well as the separate Edinburgh and Westminster events are due to be released.

Mr Bayoh - a father of two - died in custody after an incident in Kirkcaldy, Fife, in as yet unexplained circumstances involving up to nine officers in May.

A female officer was injured in the alleged incident.

Hundreds attended his funeral in June and about 300 also took part in a march in support of the family in Kirkcaldy last month.

The Scottish Trades Union Congress has also backed the campaign.

Aamer Anwar, Bayoh family lawyer, said: “The Bayoh family’s campaign expects to speak across the UK in the weeks and months ahead as their campaign for justice gathers pace.

“This week the family will speak at the Scottish Parliament, followed by other meetings in Edinburgh and then Westminster at the end of the month.

He added: “The Bayoh family will not be silenced and will leave no stone unturned in their struggle for the truth and justice.”

Mr Anwar said Mr Bayoh had not been carrying a knife when he was arrested and repeated claims that excessive force was used by police in the incident.

However it is understood a knife was found within yards of the scene.

Friends and family helped set up the Justice for Sheku Bayoh campaign calling for answers over the death, currently being examined by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) watchdog.

An interim report on the investigation by Pirc has been lodged with Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland at the Crown Office.

Mr Anwar added: "It is important to note that the family’s justice campaign received the unanimous support from the STUC Black Workers Conference which will mean that the STUC will now request that every trade union branch in the country supports the Bayoh campaign.

"This is significant because a significant number of social justice campaigns which have succeeded have been because of the support of trade unions who recognise that an injury to one is an injury to all.”