The sister of Sheku Bayoh has accused Police Scotland of “institutionalised racism” after the announcement of a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Kadi Johnson said she believed race played a factor in the 31-year-old father-of-two’s death after being restrained by four officers in Kirkcaldy.
Mr Bayoh, who had taken the drugs MDMA and Flakka before being stopped by police in May 2015, was found to have suffered 23 separate injuries following the incident.
READ MORE: Public inquiry to be launched into death of Fife man after restraint by police officers
On Monday, the Lord Advocate confirmed none of the officers involved would be prosecuted in relation to his death, however justice secretary Humza Yousaf announced a new investigation less than 24 hours later after meeting with family members.
Mr Bayoh’s family said they felt “betrayed” by the decision not to pursue criminal charges, but said she was “grateful” the inquiry would carry on the probe.
Speaking on the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme, Ms Johnson said: “We believe race played its part in the way my brother died. The way they treated him, us as a family, all of that proved that race was involved in his death."
“I think there is institutional racism in the police force.
"For us to hear the decision on Monday was devastating, but for us to hear the news yesterday, and to know the public inquiry will go ahead, we're very grateful.
"We're hoping we will have all the answers and hopefully someone will be punished for their actions."
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also met with the family ahead of the inquiry announcement, later Tweeting: "I made clear the Scottish government's determination to get the answers to the questions they have about his death and its aftermath. I believe a full public inquiry is the best way to do that."
Mr Bayoh’s family claim CCTV and mobile phone footage from the incident directly oppose the account given by officers who responded to calls from concerned residents reporting a man carrying a knife.
On the morning in question, Mr Bayoh - originally from Sierra Leone - had been at a friend’s house watching a boxing match when he consumed the drugs, which were said to radically alter his behaviour.
READ MORE: No charges over death of Sheku Bayoh
He later left home with a knife from his kitchen, but had discarded it by the time police arrived.
Ms Johnson added: “There have been moments when we thought about giving up. There has been times when we just wanted to give up but with the help of our lawyers, our friends, they encouraged us to keep going.”
"We want this inquiry to be meaningful to us as a family and Scottish society. We want changes to happen. I want my brother's name to be remembered as something good, not in the way it has been tarnished over the past four years."
The justice secretary said he expected to appoint a chairperson to lead the inquiry in the coming weeks, with its exact remit to be determined next year.
Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said: "Our thoughts remain with Sheku Bayoh's family and friends following his death and we continue to offer support to anyone affected by this tragic incident."
“The Cabinet Secretary for Justice Humza Yousaf has determined that there will be a Public Inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 and we will engage fully with that process."
She added: "Police Scotland is committed to providing a policing service to all of our fellow citizens based on our core values of integrity, fairness and respect."
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