Emma Caldwell murder was one of Scotland’s best known unsolved cases
An independent public inquiry into the police handling of the Emma Caldwell murder investigation has been confirmed by the Scottish government.
Last week Iain Packer, 51, was jailed for life after being found guilty of strangling the 27-year-old in 2005.
Packer was interviewed a month after her body was found but it took 19 years to bring him to justice.
Emma’s family said they believed the police should be held to account for failures in investigating the case.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance confirmed that a judge-led inquiry would take place in a statement to the Scottish Parliament.
On Wednesday, Chief Constable Jo Farrell apologised to Margaret Caldwell and her family for the policing failures, and backed their call for a full inquiry.
Packer, who was found guilty of offences against a total of 22 women including 11 rapes, was sentenced to serve at least 36 years in prison – the second longest sentence ever handed down by a Scottish court. He plans to appeal against his conviction.
Ms Constance said she recognised that a judge-led, statutory public inquiry was a “very significant undertaking”.
She added: “Nonetheless given the gravity of this case, the length of time that it took for justice to be served, the horrific extent of the sexual violence suffered by the victims and survivors and the suffering endured by their families, the case for holding a public inquiry is clear and compelling.
“It is time to apply fresh scrutiny to this case, to understand what went wrong to ensure that lessons are learned for the future and to provide answers to all victims and survivors in this case.”
The announcement comes after both First Minister Humza Yousaf and the justice secretary met Mrs Caldwell earlier this week.
Image source, Scottish Parliament TV
Aamer Anwar accompanied Margaret Caldwell and her family to the Scottish Parliament for the announcement
She confirmed she would update parliament when the chairperson has been chosen.
The justice secretary said it was important to choose someone who has the confidence of Emma’s family.
“I have heard from many victims and survivors that, for them, the justice system is distressing and disempowering,” she said.
“Women and girls have told the government and the criminal justice committee that their experiences of the justice system have been worse than the crime itself. This is completely unacceptable and must be addressed.”
Ms Constance described what she had been told by Emma Caldwell’s mother.
She said Mrs Caldwell told her: “My daughter Emma and the many victims who so courageously spoke up deserve nothing less than a robust, independent public inquiry and a judge who will act without fear or favour.
“There are those who say that such inquiries take too long. My family have struggled for 19 years to get justice and we will wait however long it takes to see the truth, and will accept nothing less.”
