Judge appointed to lead independent inquiry into Emma Caldwell's murder
Emma Caldwell's family 'support' appointment of inquiry chair
Emma was 27 years old when she was murdered in 2005 by serial rapist Iain Packer
Packer was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 36 years in February 2024, almost two decades later.
Justice secretary provided update to Scottish Parliament on Thursday
Angela Constance confirmed the appointment of judge from outside UK
A judge has been appointed to lead the inquiry into the handling of Emma Caldwell's murder case.
Justice secretary Angela Constance confirmed on Thursday that Lord Scott KC, a senator of the College of Justice, will head the inquiry.
The appointment comes over a year after the Scottish Government agreed to the independent, judge-led, statutory public inquiry.
In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, the justice secretary said the investigation would 'provide answers to the victims and survivors involved and ensure that lessons are learned for the future'.
'The other victims, as well as Emma's mother Margaret and the rest of the family, deserve nothing less after the unbearable loss, pain and grief they have suffered,' Constance said on Thursday.
'Lord Scott has a strong track record on human rights and I am pleased that someone of his experience, expertise and legal standing will lead this inquiry. Importantly, Emma's family support his appointment.'
Emma's family had called for a judge from outside Scotland who had not served the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for full impartiality.
Following the announcement, Lord Scott said: 'I am aware of the significant public interest in this inquiry and the importance it holds for Emma Caldwell's family. I will discharge my duties as chair independently, thoroughly and to the best of my ability.
'I come to this role with three years of experience as a judge of the Court of Session and High Court of Justiciary.
'This followed over 20 years in the voluntary sector, primarily in the area of human rights, as well as over 30 years in private practice as a criminal defence lawyer and work in several reviews which scrutinised the use of various powers by the Police Service of Scotland.
'I look forward to discussing the terms of reference with the cabinet secretary and to establishing and working with an inquiry team to start our work as soon as possible.'
Emma was 27 years old when she was killed in 2005 by serial rapist Iain Packer.
He was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 36 years in February 2024, almost two decades later, for murdering Emma and multiple rapes and assaults on other women.
Police Scotland apologised to the family and Packer's other victims, saying they were 'let down' by policing in 2005. Chief constable Jo Farrell said she backed calls for a public inquiry into the force's failings during the case.
Aamer Anwar previously said that the inquiry needed 'a fresh pair of eyes and a fresh pair of hands to properly look at it'.
The lawyer, representing the family, said police officers silenced and persecuted fellow officers who knew the truth about Packer, and said a number of documents that could have been important in the murder investigation may have been lost or destroyed.
He said: 'It is horrifically cynical that the files in this highly sensitive case have potentially been destroyed and the case was ordered closed.
'Whilst they continued to lie to Margaret, and her family, and her husband, William, who died in 2011, this briefing caused serious concerns at the possibility of corruption and deliberate attempts to pervert the course of justice by those within Police Scotland, Strathclyde Police, as well as the COPFS.'
Emma's body was found in Limefield Woods, near Roberton, South Lanarkshire, on May 8, 2005, more than a month after she went missing in Glasgow.
Police interviewed Packer that June but he was not convicted until almost two decades later. Police Scotland
Police Scotland have since apologised to Emma's family and his other victims for how the original inquiry was handled, saying they were 'let down'.
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