Emma Caldwell’s Family to Meet First Minister Over Inquiry Leadership Concerns

Glasgow: The family of Emma Caldwell, who was murdered in 2005, is set to meet with First Minister John Swinney. They want to discuss who should lead the public inquiry into the police investigation of her case.

Emma’s family is also meeting Justice Secretary Angela Constance. They’re pushing for a judge from outside Scotland to oversee the inquiry. Their lawyer, Aamer Anwar, says they feel uneasy about the current situation.

Emma was just 27 when she was killed by serial rapist Iain Packer. He was sentenced to life in prison in February 2024, nearly two decades after the crime.

Last year, the Scottish Government announced a public inquiry into how the police handled the investigation. They mentioned the possibility of having an external judge lead it. However, the family feels there’s been a lack of reassurance on this matter.

Margaret Caldwell, Emma’s mother, and the family are determined to raise their concerns in the upcoming meeting. Packer was found guilty of multiple charges, including Emma’s murder and several rapes.

Emma’s body was discovered in Limefield Woods, South Lanarkshire, on May 8, 2005, over a month after she went missing. Police had interviewed Packer back in June, but he wasn’t convicted until much later.

Police Scotland has since apologized for their handling of the original inquiry, admitting the family was let down. A spokesperson from the Scottish Government expressed their condolences to Emma’s family and confirmed the inquiry will take place.

The First Minister and Justice Secretary are looking forward to discussing the family’s concerns next week.