Judge to head inquiry into murder of Emma Caldwell
In February last year Packer was convicted of offences against a total of 22 women, including 11 rapes.He was first interviewed by detectives a month after Emma's body was found. However, 19 years passed before Packer faced justice, and he sexually assaulted multiple women in the intervening years.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.
The family of Ms Caldwell previously called for a judge from outside Scotland to chair the public inquiry, in order to make a truly independent assessment of what went wrong.Justice secretary Angela Constance said the inquiry would "provide answers to the victims and survivors involved and ensure that lessons are learned for the future". She added: "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."
Lord Scott chaired the Scottish Human Rights Centre from 1997 to 2005 and has previously led a number of reviews of policing powers.He 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."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
an hour ago
- The National
TikToker hits 3m views praising National's Trump front page
TikTok user Hal_for_NY said Friday's splash, timed to coincide with the president's arrival in Scotland for the opening of a new golf course and meetings with Keir Starmer and European Commission president Ursula von der Layen, was 'amazing'. The clip has been viewed 3.1 million times and racked up more than 549,000 comments since it was posted on Friday. In the clip, the social media user said: 'Donald Trump is being welcomed to Scotland as a felon and not as a president as his trip is already off to a bad start. "Now, if you didn't know, today Donald Trump is headed to Scotland where he's expected to visit both of his golf courses and celebrate the grand opening of a new golf course, but in preparation for his arrival, Scottish newspaper The National released their front page and it is amazing. Take a look at this: 'Convicted US felon to arrive in Scotland'. 'Yeah, not president of the United States. Heck, they even call him 'Republican leader' instead of president. That is how he's going to be welcomed. On top of that, there are protests at both of his golf courses for his arrival.' The social media user goes on to speculate that Trump would have hoped the trip could have provided a 'distraction' to his domestic woes, as his Maga fanbase turn sour on the president over his refusal to release the so-called Epstein files. The results of historic investigations into paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, a former friend of Trump, are potentially explosive and reportedly name him but much of the material remains classified. (Image: Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images) Trump had said during his election campaign he would be open to releasing more – but has since walked this back, saying the case is closed. He also appeared to have been angered by a recent South Park episode which depicted him as literally getting into bed with Satan and having a tiny penis. The social media user added: 'Donald Trump thought he could get away and have a bit of a distraction. He's got so much going on here between the [Epstein] files that he's not releasing, the South Park episode. (Image: Greg Lovett/Palm Beach Post/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images) 'He's not having exactly the time he wants here, so he thought maybe in Scotland he can get away from this and get a distraction. Instead, he's getting the welcome that he so richly deserves. Well done.' It also featured in a video from the popular MeidasTouch YouTube channel which has received 1.6m views. The front page has spread like wildfire in Scotland, the UK and US, with anti-Trump Americans expressing their joy on social media at seeing the president exposed in the media.
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Bus firm owned by former Rangers directors doubles profits
We revealed this week that McGill's, the 'largest independent bus firm in the UK', posted that the earnings rise was partly down to acquisitions. James and Sandy Easdale. (Image: Jeff Holmes/JSHPIX) The Greenock-based firm owned by billionaire brothers Sandy and James Easdale put forward results covering a 'wide and diverse portfolio'. The firm said: 'McGill's Bus Group is Britain's largest independently owned bus company and a pioneer in fleet decarbonisation, with over 110 zero emission electric buses.' Read the full exclusive story here ANALYSIS 📈 Why the case for a 'Scottish visa' just got stronger Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is sticking to his red lines on Brexit. (Image: PA) At times like these the dogmatic nature of politics must really frustrate people in business. While Sir Keir Starmer sticks to his Government's red lines on Europe – meaning there will be no return to the single market, no re-joining the customs union and no freedom of movement under his watch – the UK's economic prospects will continue to be constrained. This includes in Scotland, which of course voted resoundingly to remain in the European Union in the referendum of 2016, and has been living with the consequences since. But how long can the current state of affairs continue? Starmer has so far resisted calls from the Scottish Government to introduce a "Scottish visa" to help the country deal with the labour shortages it faces, but the issue is simply not going away. Read Scott Wright's analysis here SERIES: THE BARRAS REBORN 🍽️ How The Barras stealthily became Glasgow's most exciting foodie destination The Barras has slowly but surely evolved into one of the city's most exciting foodie destinations. (Image: Newsquest) Whelks, mussels and white sugar-coated doughnuts might well be what first come to mind when you picture food from The Barras Market in Glasgow. None of the above is wrong, with the Loch Fyne Shellfish Bar on London Road celebrating 65 years in business and Danny's Donuts still firing up their fryers every weekend. But elsewhere, thanks to a team who have invested time and effort into curating a line-up of street food vendors unlike any other, The Barras has slowly but surely evolved into one of the city's most exciting foodie destinations. As part of our Barras Reborn series, The Herald sat down with market manager Chris Butler to discuss the influx of independent culinary talent now based in the East End and how this contributes to the shifting identity of a 104-year-old cultural landmark. Read Sarah Campbell's article here AROUND THE GREENS ⛳ Coming soon to a club near you: Golf vending machines A mock-up of what the proposed vending machines might look like (Image: Newsquest) This article appears as part of Kristy Dorsey's Around the Greens series Officials at discount retailer Affordable Golf are sizing up plans to roll out vending machines at clubs across Scotland selling items such as balls and gloves to players who might otherwise be caught short.
The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Counter terrorism police involved in Glasgow Airport arrest
The new information has come to light after videos circulating online appear to show a man shouting that he allegedly had a bomb on the flight. In the clip, he can also be reportedly heard shouting "death to America" and "death to Islam" before he repeatedly shouts 'Allahu Akbar." Passengers can then be seen tackling the man to the ground in the video that allegedly shows the incident. READ MORE: New York flight diverted to Scottish airport due to 'mid-air emergency' We previously reported that the flight was met by police this morning when it landed at Glasgow Airport due to a 'passenger's behaviour'. Police say that they are aware of the videos, and counter-terror officers are investigating. The easyJet A319 aircraft (registration G-EZAN) was flying from London Luton airport and was only a few minutes from GLA Airport when pilots declared an emergency (squawk 7700). Flight EZY609 was met by police when it landed, who boarded the aircraft and removed the passenger due to their behaviour onboard. It's understood that the aircraft was parked at a remote stand of the airport for police to deal with the situation. Police have confirmed that a 41-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'We received a report of a man causing a disturbance on a flight arriving in Glasgow around 8.20am on Sunday, 27 July, 2025. 'Officers boarded the plane on its arrival and a 41-year-old man was arrested and remains in custody. Enquiries are continuing. 'At this time we believe the incident was contained and that nobody else was involved. 'We are aware of videos circulating online and these are being assessed by counter terrorism officers.' The airline said that they acted quickly to control the situation and ensure that the safety of passengers and crew wasn't compromised. An easyJet spokesperson said: "Flight EZY609 from Luton to Glasgow this morning was met by police on arrival in Glasgow, where they boarded the aircraft and removed a passenger due to their behaviour onboard. "easyJet's crew are trained to assess all situations and act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other customers is not compromised at any time. "The safety and well-being of our customers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority."
