Failure to prosecute Emma cops is ‘insulting’
The decision not to prosecute police officers who sabotaged the Emma Caldwell murder investigation is “insulting”, her family have said.
The Crown Office confirmed on Tuesday that an independent review of the case found there was “insufficient evidence of criminality on the part of any police officer” involved in the case.
But in a stinging statement issued by family lawyer Aamer Anwar, he said the failure of police to act on repeated warnings about killer Iain Packer meant he was free to continue his harrowing abuse of vulnerable women.
Explaining the family was “angry” with the outcome of the Crown Office review, he said: “It is insulting to the family and contrasts sharply with the evidence presented by former police officers of their investigation into Iain Packer being sabotaged, in order to pursue a false allegation against four Turkish men.
“We know that evidence exists that the abduction, rape and murder of Emma Caldwell and the subsequent rapes of women might have been prevented or at least disrupted had allegations against Packer been properly investigated.
“How many women have to die or be raped before our police service and criminal justice system is held to account.”
Emma had been a sex worker in Glasgow when she was taken by Packer to Limefield Woods in South Lanarkshire and murdered.
The 27-year-old had turned to drugs and later prostitution to fund her habit following the loss of her sister Karen to cancer.
Packer was last week convicted of murdering Emma and 33 additional charges of violence against women, including 11 rapes.
He was sentenced to a minimum term of 36 years in prison.
In the days since, several former police officers have revealed senior figures within Strathclyde Police repeatedly eliminated Packer as a suspect despite being presented with a catalogue of evidence against him.
The Crown Office statement came on the same day Margaret Caldwell, Emma’s mother, prepared to meet Chief Constable Jo Farrell, and before a scheduled meeting with the Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC today.
It also follows a meeting with Humza Yousaf on Tuesday in which the
First Minister and justice secretary Angela Constance said the decision on calls for a public inquiry into the case would be made within days.
Margaret, from Erskine, had promised Emma’s father William that she would never give up her fight for the truth before his death in 2011.
The devoted mother now wants to ensure other victims of crime are not failed in the way she was.
Mr Anwar added: “Margaret Caldwell wants more than words of condolences or apologiesshe believes an immediate public inquiry must be ordered. Anything less would be a betrayal of Emma Caldwell and the 22 other women whose evidence was heard at trial.
“Margaret and her family are deeply grateful to the First Minister and Justice Secretary, and hope there will finally be a legacy of Emma Caldwell’s.”
A Crown Office spokesperson said it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment on the issues raised before meeting the Lord Advocate.
But they added: “We can confirm a previous statement that following a full independent investigation Crown Counsel concluded that there was insufficient evidence of criminality on the part of any police officer involved in the investigation of Emma Caldwell’s murder.
“As in all cases, the Crown reserves the right to proceed in the future should further evidence become available.” from everyone, for to kids’ something waterslides
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