SuppliedThe family of Emma Caldwell, who was murdered nearly 20 years ago, are to meet the First Minister after claiming there has been “no progress” in the appointment of a non-Scottish judge in a government inquiry regarding her death.
Emma was killed by serial rapist Iain Packer in South Lanarkshire in April 2005 – but while he was interviewed by police officers the month after her body was found in May that year, it was only in 2024 he was convicted of her murder, along with a series of rapes and other offences.
Packer, 51, was ordered to serve a minimum sentence of 36 years in February 2024 following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow where he was found guilty of murdering Emma in 2005.
He was also convicted of 11 charges of rape against nine women and 21 other offences over a period of 26 years following a six-week trial.
Packer was refused attempts to reduce his 36-year sentence at a hearing in September.
Police ScotlandEmma’s family said Police Scotland failed their daughter and Packer’s rape victims due to a “toxic culture of misogyny and corruption”.
Police Scotland apologised to the family and his other victims, saying they were “let down” by policing in 2005.
Emma’s family and their lawyer Aamer Anwar called for a public inquiry into the failings of the police investigation, and this was announced in March 2024.
Anwar also demanded that the independent judge led inquiry be presided over by a judge outside of the Scottish Jurisdiction – however the family have released a statement saying there has been “no progress” in the appointment of a non-Scottish judge.
They also said they feel there has been a “deliberate attempt” to impose a Scottish judge in the interim.
Emma’s mother Margaret, along with her family and Mr Anwar, will be meeting with First Minister John Swinney and the cabinet secretary for justice in Bute House on Tuesday to raise this issue.
A statement released on Friday said: “Emma Caldwell was 27 years old when she was murdered in 2005 by serial rapist Iain Packer. After nearly two decades of evading justice, Packer was finally convicted on February 28, 2024 as he was found guilty of 33 charges involving 22 women, including Emma’s murder and 11 counts of rape.
“He was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 36 years. Packer later sought to appeal the sentence, but his appeal was rejected in August 2024.
“After a tireless campaign for an independent Public Inquiry investigating the death of Emma Caldwell, an Inquiry was announced by the Scottish Government. Emma’s family and their lawyer, Aamer Anwar, demanded that the independent judge led Public Inquiry be presided over by a judge outside of the Scottish Jurisdiction. However, since then, there has been no progress in the appointment of a non-Scottish judge.
“The family have been left with no reassurance and feel there has been a deliberate attempt to impose a Scottish judge in the interim.
“The scale of the crimes and the failures are so catastrophic that only an independent judge outside of the Scottish justice system would suffice. The Police and the Crown Office cannot be trusted to investigate themselves or their former superiors.
Police Scotland“Both the then-Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar were in agreement with this, with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar pressing the First Minister last year on the issue of who should lead the Inquiry – stating that for any Inquiry to be “truly independent” it would have to be led by someone outside the Scottish justice system.
“Emma’s mother Margaret Caldwell along with her family and their lawyer, Aamer Anwar, will be raising this issue with the First Minister and the cabinet secretary for justice in Bute House on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 12.30pm.”
Tuesday’s meeting will be attended by Emma’s mother Margaret Caldwell, Emma’s uncle Jim Coyle and Margaret’s grandson Stewart McGrory, along with their lawyer Aamer Anwar.
The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.
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