The SPF has also invited Mr Swinney to meet PC Nicole Short, who was injured by Mr Bayoh as he resisted arrest in May 2015. Ms Short has been unable to return to work as a police officer due to her injuries.

David Kennedy, general secretary of the SPF, said: “The first minister’s intervention undermines the prospect of a fair and transparent investigation.

“Members of the public were frightened when they saw a man armed with a knife in the streets of Kirkcaldy that day. All those who called 999 rightly expected the police to come and protect them.

“If we move to a situation where police officers do nothing to stop someone armed with a knife, for fear of being accused of racism, we will be powerless to protect the public.

“It cannot be right that we have a first minister who seemingly doesn’t care at all about a police officer who was seriously injured in the line of duty, but who does express support for the family of an individual who armed himself with a knife and terrified ordinary people on their way to work.”

Former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf also met with the family of Sheku Bayoh but never made any approach to support PC Short.

The chair, Lord Bracadale, recused himself from the inquiry on 21 October, after which the entire legal team left it due to the appearance of bias created by five private meetings between the inquiry’s legal team and the lawyers representing Sheku Bayoh’s family.

During these private meetings evidence was discussed in detail, along with a review of questions that would be put to witnesses. The family’s legal team was present at all times.

The inquiry’s legal team had initially claimed that no evidence was discussed at these meetings.

As far back as November 2022, the SPF claims that Raju Bhatt, an assessor to the inquiry, said to the family: “We don’t have the magic wand to change the world – but what we can do is try to help achieve what you want.”

Mr Kennedy added: “The collapse of the public inquiry is highly regrettable for all police officers, who simply want to see justice prevail. We are calling on the Scottish government to now support an impartial, credible conclusion to the investigation.”