We want the same justice as Chhokars

It has been more than 11 years since Emma was murdered and one can understand the frustrations of her family.

Her killer or killers are still out there and all the family want to know is what progress has been made and how the investigation is moving forward.

Emma’s father died without seeing her killers answer for her death. But as we have seen with other cases, there can be no time limit on justice.

That means that the family are expecting every possible resource to be applied to this inquiry.

It is an important step forward that the chief constable has invited officers from outside Police Scotland to review the investigation strategy and assist in any way possible.

The new inquiry team is being given the benefit of any doubt and have been for some time now. Clearly, this is very different from the previous inquiry by Strathclyde Police, which was an absolute disaster.

But the family’s confidence is not unconditional. They expect, demand and have the right to see results.

I know the heartbreak and torment a family suffer when they lose their loved one and see no justice.

I saw that with the family of Surjit Singh Chhokar, who had to fight for nearly 18 years before they got what they deserved.

That is why I agreed, when Margaret Caldwell came to see me, to take on her family’s case.

The Chhokar case became a prime example of how a family, Police Scotland and the Crown Office were able to work together to get justice – and that is what I hope we will see in the case of Emma Caldwell.