Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Kate Forbes on 14 January 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it expects a new chair to be in place for the Sheku Bayoh Inquiry.
Following Lord Bracadale’s resignation as Chair of the Sheku Bayoh Inquiry on 21 October last year, I am pleased to confirm that Lord Colbeck, a current Senator of the College of Justice, has agreed to chair the Public Inquiry.
I am confident Lord Colbeck will be an excellent Chair. He was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Courts in May 2023, having previously served as Sheriff Principal of Glasgow and Strathkelvin from September 2016 and as Vice President of the Sheriff Appeal Court from May 2022.
The Scottish Government remains committed to the Public Inquiry into Mr Bayoh’s death, to ensuring it is concluded thoroughly and that meaningful lessons are learned. The appointment of Lord Colbeck as Chair will enable the Inquiry to complete its work and it is in everyone’s interest that it proceeds to deliver its findings without further delay.