Police have been accused of a fundamental abuse of power following the sudden cancellation of an event in honour of Kirkcaldy man Sheku Bayoh.
Solicitor Aamer Anwar will make a formal complaint to Chief Constable Sir Stephen House and demand an investigation amid claims police advised the venue not to host it.
The allegation that an officer told the owners of Fifty High Street in Kirkcaldy that holding the fun day would affect their relationship with the force has been categorically denied by Police Scotland.
The bar and restaurant owners have confirmed the cancellation, due to take place on July 5, but insisted it was not because of police pressure.
However, the Bayoh family maintain bar staff told them they had received a phone call from the police.
In an email, seen by The Courier, a staff member told Mr Bayoh’s brother-in-law Adeyami Johnson: “It is in the hands of the owners and they really don’t want to lose customers or start having problems with the police.”
Mr Bayoh, 31, died after being detained by police in Kirkcaldy on May 3.
An investigation into his death is being conducted by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.
The father-of-two’s family say officers beat him with batons and used CS and pava spray.
The fundraising event had been organised to help pay the family’s legal expenses as they seek the truth.
Mr Johnston said: “I was advised by the venue 50 High Street that they were cancelling the fundraiser.
“The staff member said a police officer had phoned them to say that if they go ahead with the fundraiser it would not be good for the venue as it put a strain on their relationship with the police.”
Mr Anwar, who is acting on the family’s behalf, added: “If the Bayoh family wish to organise a fundraiser at a local venue it is quite frankly none of Kirkcaldy police’s business.
“Any attempt to interfere with this event would be a fundamental abuse of power.
“The Bayohs have acted with total dignity since Sheku’s death but their grief is now turning to real anger.
“I am instructed by the family to formally complain to the Chief Constable and call for an investigation and, if the allegations are true, for action to be taken.”
A statement on Fifty’s Facebook page confirmed the fundraiser had been cancelled but added: “We would like to strongly highlight that this is NOT due to any police pressure.”
Stating they would continue to support the Bayohs, they continued: “Due to the very intense nature of the investigation and large national media coverage we feel that any further support/fundraising will be more beneficial to all involved when the investigation has come to a close and the family receive the answers they have been seeking.”