FRESH allegations have been made about one of the officers involved in the case of a man who died in police custody.
The claims, made in a BBC documentary, were made about the past conduct of one of nine officers said to have been involved in the alleged incident in which Sheku Bayoh died in Kirkcaldy on May 3.
Neither Police Scotland or the Scottish Police Federation would comment on the claims, which partly date back to 2005.
Father-of-two Mr Bayoh, 31, died in custody after an alleged incident in as yet unexplained circumstances involving the officers in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
A female officer was injured in the incident which began at around 7am on Sunday, May 3.
Officers were called to reports of a man carrying a knife in the street.
It is understood a knife was recovered a few yards from the scene of the arrest.
The case is under investigation by the watchdog, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner, which said it would examine all relevant lines of inquiry.
A Pirc spokesman said: “The ongoing investigation into the death of Sheku Bayoh is complex and wide-ranging. The Commissioner fully empathises with the deceased’s family and has reassured them that she and her team of investigators are objectively exploring all relevant lines of inquiry.
“All information gathered throughout the Pirc investigation will be submitted to the Lord Advocate for his consideration.
“Any appropriate further action arising from the findings of our investigation, including the consideration of criminal proceedings, will be a matter for the Lord Advocate to decide upon.
“The Commissioner is committed to delivering a thorough, impartial and independent investigation and a final report of our findings will be sent to the Lord Advocate in due course.”
A legal representative for the Scottish Police Federation, which represents the officer involved, said no comment would be made while the Pirc investigation is ongoing.
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