The Scottish government has announced an independent public inquiry into the police handling of the Emma Caldwell murder investigation. Last week, Iain Packer was sentenced to life in prison for strangling the 27-year-old in 2005. However, it took 19 years for him to be brought to justice. Emma’s family have said they believe police should be held responsible for failures in investigating the case. Justice Secretary Angela Constance has confirmed that a judge-led inquiry would take place in a statement to the Scottish Parliament.
Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell has apologised to Margaret Caldwell and her family for policing failures and backed their call for a full inquiry. Emma Caldwell had become a sex worker to fund her heroin addiction when Packer drove her to remote woods, 40 miles from Glasgow, and killed her. During the first investigation into her murder, former detectives revealed that they were prevented from detaining Packer by senior officers, who instead focused on a group of four other men who were later cleared.
Ms Constance confirmed she would update parliament when a chairperson has been appointed and said it was important to choose someone who has the confidence of Emma’s family. The Lord Advocate has also confirmed that an external police force will be brought in to investigate the conduct of officers involved in the original inquiry. Aamer Anwar, the lawyer acting on behalf of Emma Caldwell’s family, said the handling of her murder investigation was “the worst scandal to ever hit the Scottish legal system”.
Public inquiries are time-consuming and expensive. Four are already under way in Scotland, at a cost of £122m so far, and today’s announcement means two more are in the pipeline. The Scottish government has decided the best way to answer Emma Caldwell’s family’s questions about her murder is a public inquiry, no matter the cost or how long it takes
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More