Public inquiry into police handling of Emma Caldwell murder confirmed
Scotland's Justice Secretary will look into how the investigation into her death was handled after her body was found in woods near Biggar in 2005
Last updated 7th Mar 2024
Scotland's Justice Secretary has announced an independent judge-led statutory public inquiry will be held to examine the police response to the murder of Emma Caldwell almost 20 years ago.
The announcement comes after both Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf and his Justice Secretary Angela Constance met with the murdered woman's mother earlier this week.
READ MORE: Humza Yousaf "open" to Emma Caldwell family's calls for public inquiry.
Miss Caldwell was killed by serial rapist Iain Packer in 2005 - but while he was interviewed by police officers the month after her body was found in May that year, it was only last week he was convicted of her murder, along with a series of rapes and other offences.
Police Scotland has already apologised to the family of Miss Caldwell and his other victims, saying they were "let down" by policing in 2005.
Scotland's Justice Secretary Angela Constance told MSPs what Emma Caldwell's mother Margaret said to her.
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."
Her mother Margaret and brother Jamie spoke earlier outside Holyrood vowing to continue their fight for justice.