Public inquiry into police handling of Emma Caldwell investigation to be announced
Justice Secretary Angela Constance is set to announce an independent public inquiry into the police handling of the Emma Caldwell murder investigation – a day after Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell backed calls for such a probe.
In a statement following Emma Caldwsell’s mother Margaret Caldwell’s meeting with Ms Farrell, lawyer Aamer Anwar said: “Today we met with the chief constable, who once again apologised for the failures of the police service, in thattheyfailedemma,herfamily and the many victims.
“The family were grateful to the chief constable for her honesty and empathy, but we still have a long way to go.”
It is understood that Ms Constance will confirm that a judge-led inquiry will take place in a statement to the Scottish Parliament.
Mr Anwar continued: “The family are grateful that the chief constable has stated she fully supports their demands for a public inquiry.
“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.
“Should a public inquiry be announced, the chief constable promised the family that Police Scotland would fully cooperate, 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.”
Mrs Caldwell has campaigned to win justice for her youngest daughter, who turned to heroin after losing her older sister, Karen, to cancer in 1998, for nearly 20 years.
She has called for a public inquiry into the investigation of her killer Iain Packer which left him free to attack other women, and met First Minister Humza Yousaf at Bute House on Tuesday before meeting the chief constable yesterday.
When asked about Packer lodging a bid to appeal, Mr Anwer said the killer is now “irrelevant” to her family.
The solicitor said: “Mr Packer has had justice delivered on him, a sentence of 36 years. He has, of course, every right to go for due process because that is what it is, due process will be delivered. The family hope that for every minute, every hour and every day of those 36 years he thinks of Emma Caldwell and all those women and children that he denied a voice to, that suffered at his hands.
“He’s irrelevant now, to the family.”
Packer, 51, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 36 years after being convicted of murdering Miss Caldwell in 2005.
He was also found guilty of 11 charges of rape against nine women and 21 other charges, and is believed to be Scotland’s worst sex offender.
The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service confrirmed yesterday an intention to appeal against conviction and sentence has been lodged on Monday on behalf of Packer.
He’s irrelevant now, to the family Lawyer Aamer Anwar on Emma Caldwell’s killer Iain Packer