Latest news with #SupremeCourts
The Herald Scotland
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Emma Caldwell public inquiry: Mother welcomes judge's appointment
19 years later, it has finally been announced that Lord John Scott, a Scottish high court judge, who was a prominent human rights lawyers until he became a judge in 2022, will head the public inquiry into her death after an almost two-decade wait. The Scottish government initially ordered a judge-led public inquiry into the original police investigation into Ms Caldwell's death in May 2005. However, there has been a delay to this taking place as the family of Ms Caldwell has consistently called for a judge outwith the Scottish jurisdiction. Grieving mother Margaret Caldwell has campaigned for years for her daughter's legacy and she hopes Emma Caldwell's name will live on long after her killer's name. Emma Caldwell's mother welcomes the appointment of Lord Scott KC, a judge at the Supreme Courts in Scotland, to head the public inquiry into her daughter's death @heraldscotland — Hannah Brown (@HannahMargBrown) April 24, 2025 "I'm happy with this decision -I'm hoping things will get going now," Margaret Caldwell told journalists, "I've waited a long, long time and there's no closure as far as I'm concerned. I have to live with everything." Emma Caldwell's mother, Margaret Caldwell (Image: Andrew Milligan/ PA Wire) Explaining the family's support of the appointment of Lord Scott, their lawyer Aamer Anwar said "John Scott has a reputation of being outwith the circle" of Crown Office adding, "he hasn't taken the normal path to be a high court judge". READ MORE: Following a meeting with the justice secretary and First Minister on Thursday morning, the family's lawyer said they are "grateful" to the Scottish Government and the new Lord President Lord Pentland in reaching what he described as a "pragmatic solution" by appointing Lord Scott KC. Speaking outside the Scottish Parliament today, Margaret Caldwell told journalists she has waited "a long long time" for this adding, "there's no closure, as far as I'm concerned." After nearly two decades, Packer was convicted in 2024 and was found guilty of 33 charges involving 22 women, including Ms Caldwell's murder and 11 counts of rape. Aamer Anwar, the solicitor acting on behalf of the Emma Caldwell family said: "The family wanted a judge who could be trusted to act without fair or favour and shine a glaring spotlight into the heart of policing and the Crown Office in Scotland. "Margaret Caldwell hopes that Lord Scott will be that judge." In a meeting with the first minister, the family's warned that no law officer in Crown office or senior police office can be allowed to dictate the terms of reference in this public inquiry. Mr Anwar added: "The major concern of the Caldwell family was that the police and the Crown Office could not be trusted to investigate themselves or their former superiors. "The family believed that the scale of the crimes and the allegations of corruption or misconduct levelled at senior police officers and Crown lawyers are so catastrophic that only an independent judge outside the Scottish justice system would have sufficed. "A toxic culture of misogyny and police corruption freed a killer to rape and rape again." 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. '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. '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.' 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'. Lord Scott was appointed the chair of a group overseeing Police Scotland's use of powers during the pandemic, as well as leading thee Scottish Mental Health Law Review. It has not yet been established when the public inquiry will begin.
Glasgow Times
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Judge appointed to head Emma Caldwell investigation
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 Emma 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. READ MORE: Three charged after 'substantial quantity' of 'cannabis and heroin' found 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 Emma's family, and their lawyer, Aamer Anwar, met with First Minister John Swinney and Justice Secretary Angela Constance on Thursday. Emma Caldwell's mother Margaret Caldwell and brother Jamie Caldwell, with lawyer Aamer Anwar (Image: Andrew Milligan) 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 today. READ MORE: More than 60 people arrested during Glasgow's Easter holidays 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. Emma Caldwell's mother Margaret Caldwell and brother Jamie Caldwell, with lawyer Aamer Anwar (Image: Andrew Milligan) '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. '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.' READ MORE: University of Glasgow students block busy West End road amid protest 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 Caldwell's mother Margaret Caldwell and brother Jamie Caldwell (Image: Andrew Milligan) READ MORE: Do you know him? CCTV image released following assault at Old Firm Packer was found guilty of 33 separate charges, including Emma's murder, 11 rapes and 21 charges including sexual assaults against other women. 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 in June, but he was not convicted until almost two decades later. Police Scotland have since apologised to the family of Emma and his other victims for how the original inquiry was handled, saying they were 'let down." Lord Scott was appointed the chair of a group overseeing Police Scotland's use of powers during the pandemic, as well as leading the Scottish Mental Health Law Review.
Sky News
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Can Trump run again? Could Europe turn its back on US? Watch our live Trump 100 Q&A
14:46:17 Is Musk eyeing the presidency? "This is an easy one to answer," our US correspondent Mark Stone says. While he says Elon Musk appears to be acting like a "co-president" at the moment, he is not eligible to be president or vice president because he was born in South Africa. "You have to be born in the US and to have lived here for 10 years," he adds "Why would Musk want to be president when he has more power than the US president?" our US correspondent James Matthews asks. 14:44:30 Could Trump run again for president? His supporters would certainly like that to be the case, says our US correspondent James Matthews. An adoring crowd at a Black History Month event yesterday chanted "four more years", while his former adviser Steve Bannon floated the idea at a conference as well. "But in terms of practicality, no, that can't happen as things stand," Matthews adds. "As things stand," emphasises US correspondent Mark Stone. A resolution is in the works to amend the constitution to allow a third term - but Donald Trump himself has distanced himself from that possibility. 14:42:08 How can Trump sign so many orders but face no checks from governors or senators? Marko: How can Trump make so many sweeping policy changes with his executive orders but face no checks and balances from elected govenors and senators? US correspondent James Matthews says an executive order can be reversed in certain cases by Congress or by a future president. The issue is that Democrats are "still to land a blow" on Donald Trump amid his frenzy of executive activity, he explains. "The bandwagon continues on, and incredible opposition has yet really to land a blow, find its voice or have an effect," he adds. Matthews does note that a growing number of Republicans have been finding an opposition voice to Trump on Ukraine, but the president is facing few meaningful challenges from Capitol Hill. Agreeing, Mark Stone says much of Trump's executive activity in the first month of his presidency has been "quite performative" and not all his orders will have profound change. 14:37:57 Can US courts stop Trump? Martin: Do US courts have the ability to prevent Donald Trump from doing whatever he likes? It could be the view that Donald Trump is somewhat of an "emperor" figure, our US correspondent Mark Stone says. But there are checks and balances in place. Stone explains there is Congress, with Republicans controlling both houses, that can intervene. There's also the courts, he says, adding dozens of cases have been filed against Trump's executive orders. "He has lost virtually every case so far, they are blocking him," Stone says. Trump and his team have not defied the courts. "They have used the court system to appeal, the question for me is how the Supreme Courts rule on these things," Stone adds. "It is going to be a big moment". 09:22:57 Final call for questions for this afternoon's Q&A Every Friday afternoon our US correspondents answer your questions live as part of our daily Trump 100 podcast series (tap here to follow wherever you enjoy podcasts), which is documenting and analysing the president's first 100 days in office. Today we'll kick off at 2.30pm. You'll be able to watch and follow along right here - and you can now submit a question above. We've already had a tonne of questions, including: Does Elon Musk have his eyes on the presidency? Is it possible Donald Trump will produce an executive order to enable him to run for a third four-year term? And... Does Boris Johnson think his friend Trump has betrayed Ukraine? Watch last week's Q&A here: 10:30:43 What do you want to know about Trump and his presidency? Ask us anything Every Friday afternoon our US correspondents answer your questions live as part of our daily Trump 100 podcast series (tap here to follow wherever you enjoy podcasts), which is documenting and analysing the president's first 100 days in office. And we need your questions for this week's edition - submit them in the form above. Unsure where Ukraine peace talks have got to? Wondering how Sir Keir Starmer's meeting with the president next week could go? Mark Stone and James Matthews are primed to get you up to speed on anything you want to know. You'll be able to watch and follow along live on this page on Friday as they answer your questions. Scroll down to catch up on the Q&A last week - some of our favourites were: Is Trump smarter than we give him credit for? Is Trump's relationship with Putin a repeat of the 1930s appeasement of Hitler? Trump's pen is getting a lot of air time - what kind is it? Or you can watch it back here: 17:52:22 That's it for this week's live Q&A Thanks for following as Mark Stone, Martha Kelner and James Matthews answered a host of your questions surrounding Donald Trump's presidency. During their responses, they covered tensions between prominent members of the administration - and touched on the potentially shaky relationship between the president and Elon Musk. The trio also discussed the general feelings about Trump among Republicans, and the displeasure in Kyiv over the Republican's decision to call Vladimir Putin about a peace deal before Volodomyr Zelenskyy. The conversation then turned to Trump's apparent acceptance that Ukraine must give up land to Russia - before focusing on the comparisons between the current White House's approach to Putin and the appeasement of Hitler that preceded the Second World War. To end the podcast, the team revealed details behind Trump's choice of pen for signing his many executive orders. You can still submit questions for the Q&A this time next week – and don't forget to follow the Trump 100 daily. Tap here to follow wherever you enjoy podcasts. 17:38:09 What sort of pen does Trump use? Steve: I notice Trump seems to sign all executive orders with the same pen - do you know what sort of pen it is? US correspondent Mark Stone says they are specially designed Sharpies that Donald Trump loves. He says the official supplier of pens to the presidency is a company from Rhode Island. But Trump did not like that pen. Stone recites a quote from Trump in which he said: "I was signing documents with a very expensive pen and it didn't write well. It was a horrible pen and it was extremely expensive - a government ordered pen. "So I pulled out a standard Sharpie pen and concluded it not only writes much better but costs almost nothing. I called up the folks at Sharpie and asked them if they could make this pen in black. Make it look rich." Stone adds: "My colleague and I were zooming into the Sharpie and saw on the pen it says the White House and then it also has Trump's signature. "So on the pen he uses for his signature - he uses his signature." 17:30:56 When will Trump pass free IVF coverage? Martha Kelner explains this was a big talking point during the election campaign after the constitutional right to abortion was overturned. Anti-abortion activists had then turned their attention to banning IVF, which the Senate dismissed. Trump went further, saying he would offer free IVF to couples in a move to put "family first". Reproductive rights, however, have fallen off the agenda since he was inaugurated, says Kelner. Trump will want to be careful with his large evangelical Christian base and insurance company lobbyists, she says. A leading IVF clinic in California also told Kelner that Trump's plan would cost billions.
Washington Post
26-01-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Battlegrounds Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are back in the spotlight with high-stakes court elections
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Republicans put Pennsylvania and Wisconsin back in the win column in the 2024 presidential race, and they're hoping that momentum carries over to contests this year that will determine whether their state Supreme Courts retain left-leaning majorities or flip to conservative control. The outcome can be pivotal in deciding cases related to abortion, election disputes, voting laws and redistricting for Congress and their state legislatures.
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Battlegrounds Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are back in the spotlight with high-stakes court elections
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Republicans put Pennsylvania and Wisconsin back in the win column in the 2024 presidential race, and they're hoping that momentum carries over to contests this year that will determine whether their state Supreme Courts retain left-leaning majorities or flip to conservative control. The outcome can be pivotal in deciding cases related to abortion, election disputes, voting laws and redistricting for Congress and their state legislatures. Money is pouring in and expected to eclipse the $70 million-plus combined spent on the states' Supreme Court races two years ago. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The Wisconsin race has caught the attention of Elon Musk, the SpaceX and Tesla CEO who is a close ally of President Donald Trump, and has surfaced tensions related to Trump's pardons of his supporters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. 'For both sides, these races seem much, much higher profile than they used to be,' said J.J. Abbott, who runs Commonwealth Communications, a progressive advocacy group in Pennsylvania. State Supreme Court races have become some of the most expensive and bitterly fought over the past few years, given how central those courts are in deciding divisive issues. Republicans are intent on flipping the courts Republicans are optimistic after Trump won both states in November. The courts there have played major roles since both states have divided governments, with Democratic governors and legislatures that are either fully or partially under Republican control. In the past couple years alone, liberal majorities on both states' high courts handed victories to Democrats in cases involving the boundaries of Wisconsin's legislative districts and Pennsylvania's congressional districts. Victories for Democrats or their allies in voting rights cases also included overturning Wisconsin's ban on absentee ballot drop boxes and ensuring Pennsylvanians can vote by provisional ballot if their mail ballot is rejected. Musk cited the Wisconsin drop box ruling, which came last July, in a message posted this past week on his social platform X: 'Very important to vote Republican for the Wisconsin Supreme Court to prevent voting fraud!' A recount, nonpartisan audit and report by a conservative law firm all affirmed that there was no widespread fraud in Wisconsin in 2020, when absentee ballot boxes were in use, and that Democrat Joe Biden won the state's presidential contest. The Democratic-supported candidate in Wisconsin's officially nonpartisan race quickly seized on Musk's involvement to make a fundraising pitch. Liberals also were highlighting comments from the Republican-backed candidate earlier this month saying those who stormed the U.S. Capitol never got 'a fair shot' in court. Harry Dunn, a former U.S. Capitol Police officer who was on duty during the attack, plans news conferences in Wisconsin on Tuesday to criticize the remarks critical of the prosecutions. In the upcoming races, Democrats say they will portray the state high courts as a bulwark against the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court, the Trump administration and a GOP-controlled Congress. The issue of abortion rights is expected to play a major role this year, as it did in high court races last year and in 2023's state Supreme Court campaigns in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Those races took place the year after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and ended nearly a half-century of a constitutional right to abortion. Early Wisconsin race will test nation's political mood Wisconsin's election is April 1 to replace a retiring liberal justice and will decide whether liberals or conservatives will control a 4-3 majority. Nick Ramos, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, which tracks spending in elections, said the race could go either way in a state where voters handed narrow victories in November to Trump, a Republican, and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat. 'After the presidential election season, people around the country are going to be looking at Wisconsin as a bellwether, as a litmus test of what the mood of the country is,' Ramos said. The Wisconsin Democratic Party has endorsed Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford. Waukesha County Circuit Judge Brad Schimel, a former Republican attorney general, is endorsed by various conservative officeholders and groups. Significant cases looming in Wisconsin's courts include challenges to the state's 1849 abortion ban and a 2011 law that all but ended collective bargaining for teachers and other public sector workers. Big spending expected from outside groups In Pennsylvania, November's general election will feature three Democrats running to retain their seats, putting Democrats' 5-2 majority on the line. All three justices — Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht — face a 'yes' or 'no' vote to win another 10-year term. Pending in Pennsylvania courts are cases that challenge laws limiting the use of Medicaid to cover the cost of abortions and requiring certain mail-in ballots to be disqualified. In 2023, business associations, political party campaign arms, Planned Parenthood, partisan advocacy groups, labor unions, lawyers' groups, environmental organizations and wealthy GOP donors, including Richard Uihlein and Jeffrey Yass, pushed spending above $70 million in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. The Wisconsin race alone topped $51 million, breaking national records for spending on a judicial race. Abortion rights were the dominant theme in that contest, won by a Democratic-backed judge whose victory gave liberals majority control of the court for the first time in 15 years. Wisconsin's race this year is expected to cost even more, with the two candidates already raising more than was brought in at this point in 2023. Schimel, in an interview last year on WISN-AM, said outside groups 'are committed to making sure we take back the majority on this court' and that he was confident "we're going to have the money to do the things we have to do to win this.' He recently launched a $1.1 million television ad buy statewide, marking the first spending on TV ads in the race. Crawford went on the air a week later. Spending exceeded $22 million in Pennsylvania's 2023 contest won by the Democrat, whose campaign focused on attackingrulings by the U.S. Supreme Court's conservative majority. Both sides strategize on overcoming voter fatigue Wisconsin Democratic strategist Melissa Baldauff said she thinks voter fatigue is a concern for both sides in the Supreme Court race there, with the election coming just months after the state was inundated with TV ads, candidate appearances, direct mail and phone calls in the presidential race. The best strategy is for their candidate to travel the state and meet directly with voters, Baldauff said. 'You can't ever underestimate the power of getting around and talking to people and literally meeting people where they are,' she said. Michelle McFall, the Democratic Party chair in Pennsylvania's Westmoreland County, said the coming retention races dominated talk at a recent meeting of the state Democratic Party. She said Democrats were concerned their voters will become distracted by Trump's actions as president — 'because it's what we do' — and that party leaders need to keep the focus on defending their court majority. They need to boost efforts to reach both urban and rural voters and take lessons from Trump's winning campaign to use new and unconventional pathways to get their message out, McFall said. Republicans say it's too early to know how much money will arrive to boost any campaign to contest the retention races. The success of a 'No' campaign could depend on whether the GOP marshals high-level support. 'One question,' said GOP insider Charlie Gerow, 'is how big will President Trump weigh in on this issue.' ___ Bauer reported from Madison, Wisconsin.
