Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
FM to meet mum of murder victim
FIRST Minister Humza Yousaf and the Justice Secretary Angela Constance will meet the mother of murder victim Emma Caldwell next week.
It follows the conviction of Iain Packer who was jailed for life with a minimum of 36 years on Wednesday for murdering Emma, 27, in 2005.
He was also convicted of 11 rapes and 21 charges including sexual assaults and abduction, involving multiple women, over 26 years.
Ms Constance said: “For Margaret Caldwell and the other victims in this case, justice has taken far too long.
“As the first minister has very clearly stated, we are giving serious consideration and are open to a judge-led public inquiry.
“He was also clear he wants to hear directly from Margaret Caldwell before we take any decision and the first minister and I will meet with her next week.”
Police Scotland has apologised to the family of Miss Caldwell and Iain Packer’s other victims.
Ms Constance added: “The outcome of this trial is the result of a thorough and complex reinvestigation of the case by Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, but it is absolutely right that Police Scotland has recognised and apologised for the failures of the original investigation.
“While I do think this means that many lessons have been learned by Police Scotland, at the time there is no doubt that women were failed.”
Solicitor Aamer Anwar, who has represented Mrs Caldwell since 2016, called for a judge-led public inquiry independent of Police Scotland and the Crown Office, saying the family will “accept nothing less than the truth, transparency and accountability”.
Earlier in the week, Assistant Chief Constable for Major Crime and Public Protection, Bex Smith, said: “Emma Caldwell, her family and many other victims, were let down by policing in 2005. For that we are sorry.”