Public inquiry into Emma Caldwell murder investigation begins

A public inquiry into the murder of Emma Caldwell – once one of Scotland’s most high-profile unsolved cases – has started its work.

Iain Packer was convicted last year of killing the 27-year-old sex worker in South Lanarkshire woods in 2005 – 19 years after he was first identified as a suspect, during which time he sexually assaulted multiple women.

Police Scotland apologised for how the original inquiry was handled, by what was then Strathclyde Police.

Former detectives involved in the inquiry told BBC Scotland News that senior officers told them not to pursue Packer as a suspect, and to instead focus on building a case against four Turkish men.

A BBC Scotland investigation helped pave the way for Packer’s arrest, with clips from the film shown to the jury.

The Scottish government ordered a judge-led public inquiry into the original police investigation in March 2024.

It will examine what went wrong in the investigation, including the direction given by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

It will examine what steps which could reasonably have been taken that might have resulted in Emma’s killer being apprehended and prosecuted at an earlier stage, and any other factors relevant to the circumstances of the investigation and related prosecution.

Now the inquiry has been formally established, it is operating independently of the Scottish government, under the direction of the chair Lord Scott.

The former human rights lawyer will make recommendations to Scottish ministers to address any findings “as soon as is practicable”.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “My thoughts continue to be with Emma Caldwell’s mother Margaret and her family, who have suffered unimaginable heartbreak.

“The public inquiry will look at what went wrong in the investigation of Emma’s murder and I hope it will provide the answers that the family need and deserve.”

The minister consulted with Lord Scott on the terms of reference for the inquiry and met with the Caldwell family and other parties to discuss its remit.

She added: “While these terms do not feature all of the issues raised with me during discussions, I am satisfied that they are both well focused and sufficiently flexible and broad enough to allow the chair to examine wider issues he may consider relevant to a robust, efficient and effective inquiry.”

Lord Scott, who was appointed in April, said he welcomed the publication of the terms of reference.

He added: “I was consulted on the terms of reference by Scottish Ministers and I am satisfied that they will allow a thorough investigation of all the issues involved.”