Family of murdered woman ‘shocked’ by police officer probe
The family of a murder victim have expressed their anger after learning of a misconduct probe into seven serving police officers.
Police Scotland has confirmed the officers are on restricted duties while they are investigated for gross misconduct over breaching spying guidelines in an attempt to uncover a journalist’s sources.
The Counter Corruption Unit (CCU) officers began the search after media reports about failings during the inquiry into the unsolved murder of Emma Caldwell.
Ms Caldwell was working as a prostitute when her body was found in woods in Biggar, Lanarkshire in May 2005.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is investigating the seven officers’ conduct on behalf of Police Scotland, with the work due to conclude in the coming weeks.
It follows another probe by Durham Constabulary in 2016 after a complaint from two serving and two retired officers.
The English force was brought in after the Interception of Communications Commissioner’s Office (IOCCO) said Police Scotland had been “reckless” in failing to obtain judicial approval when trying to access mobile phone data relating to the leak to the press.
Giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s justice subcommittee yesterday, Chief Superintendent Alan Speirs said: “The reality for us is the Durham report became the pivotal report on which the PSNI conduct investigation was founded. It very quickly led to an inquiry that currently involves seven officers.”
He added: “None of the officers are under suspension … the officers who are subject to this investigation at this time are subject to a number of duty restrictions.”
He said: “These officers previously had a role within the Counter Corruption Unit, their current roles are within a different area of the business.”
Chief Supt Speirs said no allegations of criminality arose during the Durham inquiry.
He said he hoped the report would be published by Christmas, with personal information – including pictures of the seven officers – redacted.
Mscaldwell’sfamilyreleased a statement through their lawyer Aamer Anwar following the meeting.
It said: “There is real anger and shock that Police Scotland should choose to use Parliament to blurt out such information, thus compounding the agony of the Caldwell family.
“Emma’s family have always felt a deep sense of betrayal at the hands of the first police inquiry team. Sadly, the CCU always appeared more interested in chasing journalists and law-abiding officers than those who let Emma’s killer escape justice.
“However, the first priority for Emma’s family remains the new murder inquiry which 12 years, on has given them hope.”
Police have been re-investigating the unsolved murder of Ms Caldwell since the Crown Office asked them to do so in 2015 after the original investigation failed to bring the killer to justice.
In April this year, police revealed they were carrying out searches near where Ms Caldwell’s body was found, and are investigating a potential new sighting of her on the day she disappeared.