Bill for public inquiry into Sheku Bayoh’s death is now more than the Iraq War probe | N62LX8X | 2024-05-07 06:08:01
Bill for public inquiry into Sheku Bayoh's death is now more than the Iraq War probe | N62LX8X | 2024-05-07 06:08:01
THE bill for the public inquiry into Sheku Bayoh's death is now higher than the Iraq War probe.
Figures show the total has already hit £18,404,768.
And it is set to soar past £20million.
By comparison, the nine-year investigation of Edinburgh's trams fiasco cost £13.1million — roughly the same as Sir John Chilcot's
seven-year Iraq probe.
Mr Bayoh, 31, died in Kirkcaldy, Fife, in 2015 after being restrained by cops who had been responding to reports of a man with a knife.
Scots Tory justice spokesman Russell Findlay said: "Delivering answers for Mr Bayoh's family and wider society is vital.
"But these costs are cause for concern.
"Eye-watering spending on public inquiries ordered by SNP ministers has become a common feature."
In 2018 the Lord Advocate ruled no criminal charges should be brought against any officers.
A year later Humza Yousaf, then Justice Secretary, ordered the public inquiry.
The hearings started in Edinburgh in 2022 and are due to last until next year.
After all the evidence is heard, the inquiry chairman Lord Bracadale will prepare a final report.
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> The official costs of the inquiry are published every three months. From November 30 to December 31, 2020, the bill was only £93,788.
However, it soared once premises were obtained to host hearings and 41 staff were recruited.
Under the Inquiries Act 2005, witnesses, family members and legal staff receive travel and accommodation costs.
An inquiry spokesman said: "We do everything possible to ensure we deliver best value."
More >> https://ift.tt/sKiX0Lj Source: MAG NEWS
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