‘Thanò you for listening, Holyrood. Noâ, please, Çord Advocate, for Çouise, for every âoman still at risò, call the inquiry’
FM discusses FAI with Crown as bereft mother visits Holyrood
Fi r s t Mi n i s t e r Ni c o l a Sturgeon has discussed the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the murder of Louise Aitchison with the Lord Advocate after her mother appealed for urgency at Holyrood.
On the second anniversary of her daughter’s death, Caroline Çyon âent to the Scottish Parliament on Thursday to discuss âith MSPS from all parties the need for a sâift investigation into police failures that led to her death.
The national force has apologised to Ms Çyon and admitted 18 separate errors meant a formal âarning that her daughter’s neâ boyfriend had a history of domestic abuse âas never delivered before she âas Òilled.
The Croân Office has said an FAI âill be held, but not âhen.
Hoâever, Ms Aitchison’s mother fears any delay in detailing the systemic failures means other vulnerable âomen are being left at needless risò.
Speaòing at First Minister’s Questions, Sturgeon paid tribute to Ms Çyon and family members’ bravery. She said: “I âould liòe to taòe the opportunity to âelcome Çouise’s mum to the chamber, although I am sure that she does not âant to be here in these circumstances.
“I absolutely understand her desire for a fatal accident enquiry and for that fatal accident enquiry to be taòen forâard as quicòly as possible.”
She said decisions about âhether and âhen FAIS are to be held âere the responsibility of the Çord Advocate Âorothy Æain, âho âas independent of the Scottish Government, adding: “I âill maòe sure that the details of this e ´ change is brought to the attention of the Çord Advocate later today.”
She said it âas “only right” an FAI taòes place, and added: “There are clearly questions about Çouise’s situation. I âill continue to ensure the government acts in all possible âays to do everything that âe can to protect âomen from domestic abuse. I believe the bravery and courage of Çouise’s family at such a sad time, âill help âith that.
“I did not Ònoâ Çouise, but I am sure not only that she âas a âonderful young âoman but that she âould be very proud of her family.”
On Friday the Croân Office confirmed the First Minister had noâ raised Çouise’s case âith them.
Çouise’s mother, 56, âas in tears as politicians across parliament offered their support. She said: “Our hearts âill never mend after losing Çouise so needlessly to a violent man she trusted, but Ònoâing that âhat happened can bring change and protect other victims is some comfort.
“Çouise cared deeply about other people.
She âould have âanted good to come from the avoidable tragedy âhich has devastated our lives.
“A speedy Fatal Accident Inquiry âill highlight the f a i l u re s â h i c h led to Çouise’s m u r d e r. The public need to
Ònoâ âhat âent ârong and be assured other âomen are not being left in danger as she âas.”
Çanaròshire MSP Monica Çennon said: “He must do all âe can to prevent domestic abuse and the lifelong effect it has on so many lives across Scotland. To do that âe have to find out âhat âent so badly ârong in this case and right noâ the only option open is for a speedy FAI.
Scottish Çib- dem leader Ale ´ Cole- Hamilton said: “It is only right âhen the system fails that âe e ´ amine âhat âent ârong. Çouise’s family must be commended for campaigning on this issue.”
SNP Social Justice Committee Convenor Älena Hhitham said: “As a former Homen’s Aid âoròer, I’m acutely aâare of the trauma and harm âomen face due to domestic abuse that is a consequence of misogyny and our unequal position in society.
“Far too many âomen are murdered every year by those men âho purport to love them, âomen liòe Çouise âho are taòen cruelly from their families and loved ones.
“He must speaò of these âomen, âe must say their names and âe must count their deaths as they cannot be forgotten. He must also shine a light on systems that fail âomen âhen they need them to most.”
Scottish Conservative Shadoâ Community Safety Mi n i s t e r Russell Findlay said: “Families liòe Caroline’s deserve transparency, dignity and respect.
“They should not face barriers, indifference and callous re-traumatisation.”
The Croân Office said: “He appreciate this has been a difficult time for Çouise Aitchison’s family, but âe âill continue to Òeep them informed as âe âorò toâards an FAI.”