The family of Emma Caldwell, a woman murdered by a serial rapist over two decades ago, has issued a stark warning that there must be "no attempt" to shut down evidence at the forthcoming public inquiry into the police's handling of her case. This demand came as they met the inquiry chairman for the first time, emphasising their long pursuit of justice and truth.
A Decades-Long Wait for Justice
Emma Caldwell, aged 27, was brutally murdered in 2005 by Iain Packer, a serial rapist who evaded justice for nearly two decades. It was not until February 2024 that Packer was finally brought to justice, receiving a life sentence with a minimum term of 36 years behind bars. His conviction followed a trial at the High Court in Glasgow, where he was found guilty of 33 offences, including Ms Caldwell's murder, 11 rapes, and multiple sexual assaults against other women.
Ms Caldwell vanished in April 2005, just days after confiding in her mother about her hopes to overcome a heroin addiction, which had begun following her sister's death. She was working as a sex worker in Glasgow at the time. Her body was discovered the following month in Limefield Woods, South Lanarkshire, a site that jurors visited during Packer's trial.
Police Apology and Inquiry Launch
In the wake of Packer's conviction, Police Scotland issued a formal apology to Ms Caldwell's family and his other victims, acknowledging that they were "let down" by the original investigation conducted by what was then Strathclyde Police. This admission prompted the Scottish government to order a judge-led public inquiry, chaired by Lord Scott, to scrutinise the police handling of the case.
The inquiry aims to examine several critical aspects, including:
- The investigative strategy and decision-making by Strathclyde Police.
- The direction provided by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).
- Potential steps that could have led to Packer's earlier apprehension and prosecution.
- Any failings in training, procedures, or systems that contributed to the investigation's shortcomings.
Family's Meeting with Inquiry Chairman
On Monday, Margaret Caldwell, Emma's mother, along with her brother Jim Coyle, grandson Stewart McGrory, and solicitors Aamer Anwar and April Meechan, met Lord Scott in Glasgow. In a statement following the meeting, Mr Anwar expressed that the family welcomed the encounter and the "empathy and compassion" shown by Lord Scott, noting that this is the minimum they are entitled to expect.
Lord Scott affirmed that Emma's family would be key participants in the inquiry, acknowledging her memory as she would have turned 47 recently. Mr Anwar highlighted the family's deep-seated concerns, stating, "Over the years, many powerful men have made promises to Emma's mother, Margaret, that have repeatedly been betrayed. The test of this inquiry will be whether it follows the evidence."
Concerns Over Inquiry Scope
Despite appreciating the broad terms of reference, the family is "deeply troubled" that the inquiry might be used to avoid accountability. Mr Anwar pointed out that the reference to Strathclyde Police in the terms could be interpreted as limiting the probe to the period before it merged into Police Scotland in April 2013. He insisted, "If this inquiry is to pursue the truth, then it must look not only at Strathclyde Police, but what happened when Police Scotland took over responsibility."
He further emphasised the urgency of the inquiry, noting that many women suffered "unimaginable pain and fear" at Packer's hands while he remained free until his arrest in February 2022. Mr Anwar concluded, "Margaret has heard much lip service paid to this inquiry, but there must be no attempt by the chief constable, Police Scotland, and Crown Office to shut down the evidence. It is important to Margaret and Packer's many survivors, as well as the honest police officers whose lives were destroyed, for this inquiry to begin as soon as possible."
The inquiry's findings and recommendations will ultimately be reported to Scottish ministers, with the family and public awaiting a thorough and transparent investigation into this tragic case.
