Police Scotland back inquiry into murder probe
Force will ‘fully participate in any further proceedings’
POLICE Scotland has backed holding a public inquiry into the investigation of the murder of Emma Caldwell. Chief Constable Jo Farrell released a statement after meeting her family yesterday, saying they were “let down by policing in 2005” and apologised.
She added: “It is important that Emma’s family and the public get answers to the many questions they have. I therefore support the family’s calls for a public inquiry.
“I absolutely commit that Police Scotland will fully participate in any further proceedings.”
It puts further pressure on First Minister Humza Yousaf to call for an inquiry, coming just a day after Justice Secretary Angela Constance said she and the First Minister were “very open” to the call for the public inquiry after meeting the family themselves and promising that a “quick decision” would be made.
Iain Packer, 51, was jailed for life with a minimum of 36 years after being found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow last week of murdering 27-year-old Caldwell in 2005, 11 counts of rape against nine women and 21 further charges, including sexual assaults.
“We have reflected and learned from the initial investigation and subsequent re-investigation,” Farrell continued in the statement.
“Significant changes have been made in recent years to improve our organisational culture and our response, particularly in respect of investigative structures, victim care and processes to these types of crimes.
“Our Violence against Women and Girls Strategy demonstrates our absolute commitment to tackling the violence and abuse that disproportionately affects women and girls.
“I am also committed to relentlessly improving how we respond to and serve the public, and to ensuring officers and staff uphold our values and help to deliver justice for victims.”
Speaking after the meeting between Farrell and Caldwell’s mother, Margaret Caldwell, lawyer Aamer Anwar said they were “grateful” that the chief constable has stated she fully supports their demands for a public inquiry.
He said: “That is the only way that the police service of Scotland and former officers can ever truly be held to account.
“Had it not been for Margaret Caldwell’s tireless campaigning, then any hope of justice would have been buried forever. We know Packer carried out rapes, sexual offences and assaults some 19 times after Emma’s murder in 2005.
Anwar continued “Should a public inquiry be announced in the coming days, the chief constable promised the family that Police Scotland would fully co-operate, but the family sought an assurance that any officers past or present called to give evidence, will be denied the right to immunity from prosecution.
“If they have nothing to hide, then they have nothing to fear from speaking with candour.
“If they broke the law, then of course they must face the prospect of imprisonment.”
It came as news emerged that Packer intends to appeal his conviction and the life sentence handed to him by Lord Beckett.
A Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service spokesperson confirmed yesterday that an “intimation of intention to appeal” had been lodged on behalf of Packer.