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Scottish Sun
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Scottish Government splurges over £215m on 20,000 days of Public Inquiries
There have been 20,375 days and counting SPIRALLING COSTS Scottish Government splurges over £215m on 20,000 days of Public Inquiries Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TAXPAYERS have forked out more than £215million on a dozen public inquiries since devolution, The Scottish Sun On Sunday can reveal today. The massive sum has been spent on high-profile probes, which so far have taken up 20,375 days amid fears some 'resolve little' — or are used by ministers to shelve awkward issues. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Sign up 3 There has been lengthy and costly hearings into disasters such as the Stockline Explosion Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 3 The public inquiry into the factory blast, which killed nine people, took 237 days to complete Credit: Handout 3 The Edinburgh tram inquiry cost nearly £13.7mil and took nearly a decade to conclude Credit: PA:Press Association And the bill is set to soar even further, with the green light given for two more lengthy hearings to begin. The bungled police investigation into the murder of Glasgow sex worker Emma Caldwell 20 years ago is to be examined by ex-top human rights lawyer Lord John Scott. And hospital operations involving at least 200 patients by 'butcher' brain surgeon Sam Eljamel in Dundee will also be the subject of a lengthy investigation. Analysis of Holyrood figures shows nearly £100million has been spent on the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry alone, which has been running for more than a decade. Scottish Parliament CONSTRUCTION of the Holyrood building was a farce which plagued the first few years of the devolved government. Costs eventually topped £400million — ten times the original £40million estimate — and it was completed years late. Lord Fraser refused to blame a single 'villain of the piece'. But he identified Sir Muir Russell, the former head of the Scottish Civil Service, as the man with responsibility for project failures. He ruled former First Minister Donald Dewar, who died in 2000, had not misled MSPs over costs. ANNOUNCED: APRIL 20, 2003 REPORTED: SEPTEMBER 15, 2004 DAYS TO COMPLETE: 514 CHAIR: LORD FRASER COST: £717,426 Last night opposition politicians claimed the inquiries were needed due to blunders by public bodies and a lack of transparency from the Scottish Government. Scots Tory finance spokesman Craig Hoy agreed they could play an 'essential' role in bringing victims justice. Stockline Explosion THE plastics factory blast was Scotland's worst industrial accident for a decade, killing nine people and injuring 33. And the probe went on to rule the 2004 explosion was an 'avoidable disaster'. Lord Gill found a piece of damaged pipe carrying liquid petroleum gas into the Glasgow factory was 'out of sight and out of mind'. It would have cost just £400 to fix, the inquiry heard. Families accused ICL Plastics of 'flaunting' health and safety. The firm was fined £400,000 prior to the probe getting under way. ANNOUNCED: NOVEMBER 21, 2008 REPORTED: JULY 16, 2009 DAYS TO COMPLETE: 237 CHAIR: LORD GILL COST: £1.9M But he added: 'The SNP Government also has a duty to taxpayers to keep costs as low as possible and to prevent inquiries dragging on for years on end. "Ministers also need to explain why so many serious mistakes are being made by government departments and public bodies that require inquiries to be set up in the first place.' OUTBREAK THIS inquiry focused on the high number of patients hit by a devastating bacterial infection outbreak at Vale of Leven Hospital. Of 143 patients who contracted clostridium difficile ( 34 died. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde was slammed by the judge in his final report which found 'serious personal and systemic failures' and concluded patients were 'badly let down'. But questions were raised about the effectiveness of the inquiry, given that by the time of the report many of the central issues had been fixed. ANNOUNCED: APRIL 22, 2009 REPORTED: NOVEMBER 21, 2014 DAYS TO COMPLETE: 2,039 CHAIR: LORD MACLEAN COST: £10.7M Contaminated Blood ANNOUNCED by then health secretary Nicola Sturgeon in 2008, this probe examined Hepatitis C and HIV infections from contaminated blood transfusions. Around 3,000 Scots patients were impacted by the scandal. Lasting nearly seven years, the inquiry was blasted as a 'whitewash' by critics as no individual was blamed. A UK-wide probe found authorities covered up the scale of the problem, which caused 2,900 deaths. Now £11.8billion has been set aside to compensate victims via Westminster. ANNOUNCED: APRIL 23, 2008 REPORTED: MARCH 26, 2015 DAYS TO COMPLETE: 2,528 CHAIR: LORD PENROSE COST: £12.1M Scottish Labour's Jackie Baillie accused the Nats of embedding a 'rotten culture of secrecy and cover-up' in the public sector. She added: 'Too often those desperately seeking answers in the wake of a scandal face an uphill battle. "And expensive public inquiries have become one of the only ways to get to the truth. Tram Fiasco THE Edinburgh tram project was more than £400million over budget, ran five years late and only delivered half the planned route. Lord Hardie eventually blamed the city council and its arm's-length companies for a 'litany of failures'. But the inquiry came under sustained criticism from politicians as it dragged on for almost a decade after Alex Salmond promised a 'swift and thorough' investigation of the project. The inquiry cost more than the Chilcot probe into the 2003 invasion of Iraq. But its figures have since been dwarfed by other public inquiries. ANNOUNCED: JUNE 5, 2014 REPORTED: SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 DAYS TO COMPLETE: 3,363 CHAIR: LORD HARDIE COST: £13.7M "While they have a crucial role to play, we need to embed transparency throughout public services and government so that fewer are needed.' The £215million bill will have been spent paying for senior judges, their full-time staff, legal fees for leading lawyers, and for accommodation, offices and witness costs. Child Abuse THE most controversial, expensive and longest-running public inquiry in Scots history is investigating abuse of kids in care. Chair Lady Smith faced calls to resign or be replaced last November over alleged 'thinly veiled favouritism' of independent schools. The probe has looked at where abuse happened and if public sector and other bodies failed to protect children. It has examined churches and schools and will probe hospitals and prisons. It was meant to report back in four years but remains ongoing seven years after an extension was granted. ANNOUNCED: DECEMBER 17, 2014 REPORTED: ONGOING DAYS TO COMPLETE: 3,806 TO DATE CHAIR: LADY SMITH COST: £91.9M James Mitchell, professor of public policy at Edinburgh University warned governments could use the probes to 'buy time', likely meaning they'd be 'a waste of time and money — and often resolved little'. He said: 'There's a tendency for demands for a public inquiry following many policy failures or disasters. "But the crucial test is what is concluded and whether lessons are learned and acted upon. Hospital Scandals THE Queen Elizabeth University Hospital is being probed over infections linked to water and ventilation systems. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde also faces a corporate homicide probe into four deaths, including cancer patient Milly Main, ten. Construction of the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh is also part of the inquiry being chaired by Lord Brodie. It has heard that there was a lack of clear requirements for ventilation in the building, leading to delays. The inquiry continues. 'It may be, of course, that a formal inquiry is unnecessary or a less lengthy and less costly one is needed. 'There are complex and difficult issues that require careful study. EMMA CALDWELL NATS chiefs last year bowed to pressure to order an inquiry into the botched police investigation into Emma Caldwell's murder. Monster Iain Packer, 52, was interviewed a month after sex worker Emma, 27, below, was found dead in woods in Lanarkshire but he evaded justice for 19 years. He went on to attack more women and was finally caged for at least 36 years last year for offences against 22 victims. Detectives alleged senior cops told them not to focus on Packer and instead build a case against four Turkish men. ANNOUNCED: MARCH 7, 2024 REPORTED: ONGOING DAYS TO COMPLETE: 438 TO DATE CHAIR: LORD SCOTT COST: £TBC "And it doesn't necessarily follow that governments should accept all recommendations. But cynical use of public inquiries only encourages distrust.' Holyrood's finance committee is currently looking into the issue. BUTCHER DOC AFTER years of campaigning by patients of 'butcher' brain surgeon Sam Eljamel, victims got their wish for a public inquiry last year. The medic left many patients injured and disfigured following operations between 1995 and 2013 at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee. The inquiry will examine unanswered questions about the scale of the harm inflicted on innocent victims by Eljamel. It will look at whether investigations into his ops went far enough — and whether others could have stopped the damage and prevented him from hurting scores of patients. ANNOUNCED: SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 REPORTED: ONGOING DAYS TO COMPLETE: 620 TO DATE CHAIR: LORD WEIR COST: £TBC Police Fingerprints DETECTIVE Shirley McKie was wrongly accused of leaving a fingerprint at a murder scene, sparking a perjury trial and her sacking. But after suing the government over accusations the Scottish Criminal Record Office had acted dishonestly, the former police officer received £750,000. The scandal sparked a probe which exonerated Ms McKie. But it found there was 'nothing malicious' about her identification through the fingerprint. It also exposed key weaknesses in how fingerprint evidence was being treated and made 86 recommendations. ANNOUNCED: MARCH 14, 2008 REPORTED: DECEMBER 14, 2011 DAYS TO COMPLETE: 1,370 CHAIR: SIR ANTHONY CAMPBELL COST: £3.4M Its convener, SNP MSP Kenny Gibson, said: 'Our short, focused investigation will examine whether public inquiries represent value for money, and whether spending controls work. 'It's important we get answers to these questions given the huge sums involved.' PANDEMIC FALLOUT NICOLA Sturgeon announced Scotland's own Covid-19 inquiry in 2021 — months after then Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out plans for a UK-wide probe. The then Nats chief insisted an probe into the handling of the pandemic north of the border was necessary, despite the UK inquiry also looking at how devolved governments coped during the crisis. But the Scots investigation is to tackle decisions taken at Holyrood including the mass discharge of untested patients into care homes. It covers the period from January 2020 to December 2022. ANNOUNCED: AUGUST 24, 2021 REPORTED: ONGOING DAYS TO COMPLETE: 1,364 TO DATE CHAIR: LORD BRAILSFORD COST: £34M A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Public inquiries provide important opportunities to establish facts and to learn lessons for the future in the most transparent means possible. "They operate independently of government and it's for the chair, who has an ongoing duty to avoid unnecessary costs, to direct how he or she carries out its functions.'
The National
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Heroic WWII 'Shetland Bus' to be marked by Norway to Scotland flotilla
The flotilla will be made up of historic fishing boats and merchant ships which were used to smuggle special forces soldiers, secret agents and freedom fighters from Shetland to Norway. The boats also smuggled explosives, weapons and radios from Shetland for the resistance movement and also brought back refugees and soldiers fleeing Nazi-occupied Norway. The perilous route, which risked the constant threat of being discovered by German submarines and planes, was dubbed the Shetland Bus by the fearless sailors who navigated it. READ MORE: Judge appointed to Emma Caldwell inquiry as family hope for closure Commemorating the sailors' bravery, several of the small boats originally used during WWII will take part in the Liberation Convoy, which will cross from Bergen in Norway to Lerwick in the Shetland Islands for VE Day ceremonies on May 8. Captain Jack Cowie (below) of the Gordon Highlanders, was the liaison officer for Norwegian fishing boats in transit to and from Shetland through Aberdeen. (Image: The Liberation Convoy 2025) His daughter Isabell Jack said he was proud of what he did but never wanted to make a 'fuss' after the war so just returned back to work. She said: 'Obviously it was a secret operation so not much was said to us as children. But Dad was well liked and had a nice manner about him, with a warm sense of humour, and integrity and I think this helped him in this role. 'Dad was proud of what he did, but he wasn't a man to make a fuss and after the war ended, he returned to his job working for the bank, until he retired.' The lord lieutenant of Shetland, Lindsay Tullock, said the convoy is 'fitting recognition' of the alliance between Norway and the UK, and of Shetland's special role. 'As we commemorate and give thanks to those who were lost, we remember also the resilience of the men and women involved in the liberation of Norway and Europe,' he said. 'The arrival of the Liberation Convoy in Shetland will be an opportunity to acknowledge the long-standing alliance between the people of Shetland, the rest of the United Kingdom and Norway. 'People of Shetland have vivid memories and recollections of the covert Shetland Bus operations during the Second World War. The enduring relationship between Shetland and Norway has strengthened over the years and will continue to do so as we join together in Remembrance on the 80th Anniversary of the end of the War in Europe.' MK Andholmen (below), which was one of the vessels used for missions to Shetland, as well as Orkney and mainland Scotland. (Image: The Liberation Convoy 2025) 'Ordinary Norwegians were trained as special forces soldiers in both England and Scotland,' said Per Ola Holm, the current skipper of MK Andholmen. 'Many went on to crew the Shetland Bus vessels as they dodged German submarines and war planes during their dangerous missions, or they returned home on sabotage missions and to fight the occupying Nazi regime.' He added: 'Everyone who crewed those small boats and ships taking the route knew they were risking their lives, but the fragile link it provided between the Shetland Islands, the Orkneys and occupied Norway was just too important.'
Glasgow Times
24-04-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
First Minister to headline European climate event in Glasgow
John Swinney will deliver the keynote speech next Friday at The Social Hub event, touted by organisers as the most significant climate event in the city since Cop26. The Better Society Academy will take place at the city centre venue from April 29 until May 2, bringing together business leaders, activists and experts. READ MORE: Judge appointed to lead inquiry into investigation of Emma Caldwell's murder It follows on from events in Amsterdam and Vienna. The three-and-a-half-day event is run by the TSH Talent Foundation, a non-profit established by The Social Hub, a hybrid hospitality firm founded by Edinburgh-born entrepreneur Charlie MacGregor. The First Minister said: 'I can think of no better setting than the city that hosted Cop26 just a few years ago, to bring together forward-thinking young leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers – all working collectively to tackle one of the most urgent challenges of our time: the twin climate and nature crisis. 'This event is an example of the positive impact B-Corp organisations in Scotland like The Social Hub can bring to cities like Glasgow. 'The Better Society Academy is committed to inclusive, action-driven learning, and reminds us of what's possible when we bring like-minded people together to build a better future. 'This attitude closely aligns with my ambition to build a better Scotland for generations to come, which is translated into the four core priorities I have set for my Government: eradicating child poverty; stimulating Scotland's economy; ensuring high-quality, sustainable public services; and tackling the climate emergency. 'Tackling the climate and nature emergency is intrinsically linked to the success of our nation. It is not just about numbers and carbon targets – it is about improving lives, restoring nature, and securing Scotland's future prosperity.' READ MORE: Hit BBC game show returns to Glasgow screens – here's when The event will come just a week after the Scottish Government dropped a key climate change target to cut car use in Scotland by 20% by the end of the decade. And that follows on from last year's decision to abandon Scotland's legally binding target to reduce emissions by 75% by 2030. The 2025 Glasgow programme, Changemakers Leading the Way to Net Zero: Inspiring Stories of Collaboration and Impact, will feature figures in sustainability, business, design, and activism. READ MORE: Do you recognise this man? Football unit keen to talk to man following Ibrox assault Among the speakers are Anna Campbell-Jones, designer and presenter of the BBC's Scotland's Home Of The Year programme; Clover Hogan, climate activist and founder of Force of Nature; Alison McRae, senior director at the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce; and economist Mattia Romani. Frank Uffen, chairman of the TSH Talent Foundation and adviser to The Social Hub's board, said: 'The First Minister's attendance at this event shows how important these issues are to Scotland and all nations and the potential for changemakers in all industries to make a difference. 'This event will equip emerging changemakers with the networks, insight and tools to drive real transformation in their communities. 'We're proud to be hosting them here in Glasgow – a city with a deep legacy of innovation and global outlook.'
Scotsman
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Emma Caldwell inquiry: Scottish judge appointed as murder victim's mother meets with John Swinney
The family of murdered Emma Caldwell have attended the Scottish Parliament to meet with John Swinney and the Justice Secretary Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A judge has been appointed to chair the inquiry into the investigation of the murder of Emma Caldwell. Lord Scott KC, a judge at the Supreme Courts in Scotland, will chair the inquiry, which was ordered after serial rapist Iain Packer was jailed for the crime. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The family of Emma Caldwell arrive to meet First Minister John Swinney and the Justice Secretary | Lisa Ferguson Ms Caldwell was murdered in 2005, but it was not until last year that Packer was convicted of her killing along with a slew of sexual offences against other women. The initial police investigation has drawn criticism for failing to catch Packer, who was jailed for life with a minimum term of 36 years two decades after the murder of the 27-year-old. The inquiry chairman was named as Ms Caldwell's family and their lawyer Aamer Anwar met with First Minister John Swinney and Justice Secretary Angela Constance on Thursday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The family of Emma Caldwell prepare to speak outside the Scottish Parliament | Lisa Ferguson The family had pushed for a judge to be appointed from outside Scotland, with Mr Anwar saying in a statement in January 'only an independent judge outside of the Scottish justice system would suffice' and accusing the Scottish Government of attempting to 'impose' a Scottish judge. He is due to make a statement to the media after the meeting on Thursday. Announcing the appointment, Ms Constance said: 'In March last year, I announced that there would be a public inquiry into the investigation of Emma's murder in 2005 to 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. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Emma Caldwell's mother Margaret | Lisa Ferguson '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. 'I will now consult Lord Scott on the terms of reference and seek the views of Emma's family and others on the inquiry's remit. 'I will update Parliament on the terms of reference and the timescale for the inquiry's formal setting-up date in due course.' 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. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad '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.' Packer was found guilty of 33 separate charges, including Miss Caldwell's murder, 11 rapes and 21 charges including sexual assaults against other women. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Miss Caldwell'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 have since apologised to the family of Miss Caldwell and his other victims for how the original inquiry was handled, saying they were 'let down'.
STV News
24-04-2025
- Politics
- STV News
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'. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
