Scotland’s solicitor general accuses Sheku Bayoh inquiry chair of ‘apparent bias’

The Bayoh family with their solicitor, Aamer Anwar, centre, who said the claims were a ‘pathetic’ attempt to sabotage the inquiry. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA

The former judge leading a public inquiry into the death in custody of a black man has been accused of “apparent bias” by Scotland’s deputy chief prosecutor, throwing the hearing’s future into doubt.

The unprecedented intervention from Ruth Charteris KC, the solicitor general for Scotland, came after the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) called for Lord Bracadale to resign as chair of the inquiry into the death of Sheku Bayoh.