Former Sheku Bayoh inquiry chair paid more than £700k before quitting the role - as the probe costs keep rocketing

By GRAHAM GRANT, SCOTTISH HOME AFFAIRS EDITOR Published: 19:04, 11 August 2026 | Updated: 19:17, 11 August 2026 The former chairman of the inquiry into the death of Sheku Bayoh was paid more than £711,000 of taxpayers’ money before quitting amid a row over alleged bias. Lord Bracadale admitted in October last year that he had lost the ‘confidence’ of those involved in the £50million probe after the body representing rank-and-file officers launched a legal challenge to have him ousted. He decided not to recuse himself after ruling there was no possibility that he was biased, following concerns about his private meetings with Mr Bayoh’s family. But in a U-turn, the retired High Court judge quit, conceding concerns about his conduct ‘had not been allayed by my decision and that the criticisms have persisted’. It has also emerged the cost of the inquiry has risen by £409,105 between April and June to £27,806,840 – despite no evidence being heard. Scottish Tory justice spokesman Stephen Kerr said taxpayers would be ‘stunned’ at the soaring costs. He said: ‘Taxpayers will be stunned at the sum that has been paid to the chair of this inquiry alone. ‘Nobody disputes the importance of delivering justice, but given the inquiry’s overall bill it is clear the SNP are failing to keep a grip on its costs. Sheku Bayoh died in police custody in 2015. His death is now subject of a long running inquiry  ‘With victims facing unacceptable delays in the courts and frontline justice services under immense pressure, ministers cannot keep asking taxpayers to foot ever-growing bills without proper accountability. ‘The SNP must explain how these costs have reached such extraordinary levels, what oversight has been in place throughout, and how they will prevent any further unnecessary expense while ensuring the inquiry reaches its conclusions as soon as possible.’ The figure of £27.8million covers the cost of running the inquiry but the overall price-tag, including expenditure by police and prosecutors, has topped £50million. Mr Bayoh, 31, a father-of-two, died after he was restrained by six police officers in Kirkcaldy, Fife, on May 3, 2015, amid allegations of racism and police brutality. His family have called on Police Scotland and the Crown Office to publicly back the inquiry, ‘protect’ the 122 days of evidence already submitted, and allow the process to conclude. Earlier this year, his loved ones said they want a timetable for the inquiry’s remaining stages set up ‘as soon as possible’. They said: ‘It will be no simple task for the chair to take over the reins of Lord Bracadale, but... it is time to restart the stopwatch.’ In January, it was announced that judge Lord Colbeck will replace Lord Bracadale and would review all of the evidence heard so far – which was expected to take several months. The inquiry, which was announced in 2019, was established to examine the circumstances surrounding Mr Bayoh’s death and whether race was a factor. However, it has faced repeated delays and controversy, including the departure of Lord Bracadale. The Scottish Government response about his earnings was given to a Holyrood parliamentary question seeking details of the amount paid to the ex-inquiry chairman. Details of the earnings of Lord Bracadale, who stepped down as chairman of the inquiry, have now been revealed In its answer, ministers said that overall inquiry costs are published separately on the inquiry’s website and confirmed that £711,680 had been provided to pay Lord Bracadale up to April 2025. The latest disclosure comes amid mounting concern about the expense and duration of public inquiries in Scotland, which have cost more than £250million so far. Supporters of the Sheku Bayoh inquiry argue that complex investigations carry substantial costs. But critics warn the timescale and escalating bill raise serious questions about oversight and efficiency, particularly at a time when other parts of the justice system face budget pressures and lengthy delays. Last June, up to ten members of the family of Mr Bayoh received compensation from Police Scotland – including a single award of more than £1million. The relatives halted their attempt to sue the force after reaching an out-of-court settlement. A spokesman for the inquiry declined to comment on Lord Bracadale’s earnings or when Lord Colbeck would report back. The Scottish Government has said ‘inquiries are independent of Government, and each inquiry is responsible for publishing its own financial information’.