Latest news with #ScottishPoliceAuthority
Libya Review
29-06-2025
- Libya Review
Libyan Suspect Faces Lockerbie Charges After DNA Discovery
In a major forensic breakthrough, Scottish experts have extracted DNA from items within the suitcase that contained the Lockerbie bomb, nearly 37 years after the attack. According to Express newspaper, the discovery could play a pivotal role in the upcoming trial of Libyan suspect Abu Agila Masud in Washington DC. The devastating mid-air explosion of Pan Am Flight 103 on 21 December 1988 remains Britain's deadliest terrorist atrocity, killing all 259 passengers and crew and 11 residents of Lockerbie, Scotland. Now, using advanced technology, forensic scientists have recovered DNA traces from the lining of the suitcase and an umbrella packed inside before the detonation. Abu Ajila Masud, 74, accused of building the bomb, allegedly named two accomplices in the plot: Abdelbasset al-Megrahi, convicted in 2001, and Al Amin Khalifah Fhimah, who was acquitted but remains wanted by US authorities. Court documents obtained by The Sunday Times reveal that Dr Nighean Stevenson, a leading DNA analyst with the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), is among the key expert witnesses for the prosecution. She examined the recovered items under specialised lighting and successfully extracted DNA samples of varying quality. According to filings with the US District Court for the District of Columbia, a reference sample from Masud has yet to be analysed and compared. Should a match be established, it would represent a critical piece of evidence in the prosecution's case. The new forensic evidence has reignited hope for long-awaited justice in a case that has haunted families and investigators for decades. Tags: Abu Ajila MasoudlibyaLockerbie
The National
27-06-2025
- The National
50 arrests made in police probe into Scottish 'gang war'
Officers said on Friday that an 18-year-old man is the latest person to be arrested and charged in connection with Operation Portaledge, the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the east and west of the country. The spate of violent incidents, including shootings, firebombings and assaults, began in Edinburgh and the east of Scotland in March, but spread to the Glasgow region in April and May. The 18-year-old has been arrested and charged in connection with alleged wilful fire-raisings at three properties in Edinburgh – on Pitcairn Grove, Prestonfield Crescent and Niddrie Marischal Crescent – on Thursday April 17, police said. He is expected to appear in court in due course. Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell announced the 49th arrest in Operation Portaledge on Thursday, during a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority in Edinburgh. Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell (Image: Andrew Milligan) She said: 'The support of our communities is essential when it comes to tackling serious and organised crime, preventing violence and getting justice for victims, and I want to thank the public for their assistance so far and encourage anyone else with information to come forward.' In her report for the SPA, the chief constable also reiterated that Scottish police believe there is nothing to suggest that the deaths of two men in Spain are linked to recent incidents in Scotland. The two men, understood to be Eddie Lyons Junior and Ross Monaghan, died after a gunman opened fire outside Monaghans Bar in Fuengirola, Malaga, on May 31. The chief constable's report states: 'Police Scotland is supporting Spanish police following the fatal shootings in Fuengirola. 'At this time, there is no evidence to suggest these deaths are linked to the recent criminal attacks in Scotland being investigated as part of Operation Portaledge or that the shooting was planned within Scotland.' A man has been arrested in Liverpool in connection with the deaths in Malaga. The 44-year-old man appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday June 14 and has been remanded in custody, police said.
Edinburgh Live
27-06-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Scottish police say underworld killings in Spain 'not linked' to gang war
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Claims by Spanish police that the murders of two Scottish underworld figures in Spain are linked to a long running gangland feud have been refuted by the Chief Constable of Police Scotland. At a meeting on Thursday in Edinburgh of oversight body the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) Jo Farrell also denied the fatal shootings were planned in Scotland. Ross Monaghan, 46, and Eddie Lyons jnr, 43, were both shot dead at an Irish bar co owned by Monaghan in the Spanish holiday resort of Fuengirola on May 31, reports The Record. Both victims were senior members of the Lyons crime clan who have been involved in a long running feud with the rival Daniel family dating back almost 25 years. At a press conference earlier this month Malaga-based police chief, Pedro Agudo Novo, who is investigating the double murder, said it was linked to a rivalry with the Daniel family, which resurfaced earlier this year across Scotland. When asked if the gunman belonged to the Daniel's crime family, replied: "Yes. Absolutely." He then added: "The double murder was carried out by a professional killer and member of one of the victims' rival gangs. "In this case, we are not talking about an independent hired killer, but an internal member of the rival Daniels gang who ends up assassinating two members of an enemy gang." Since March members and associates of the Daniel family in Edinburgh and Glasgow have been subjected to fire bombings, machete assaults and other targeted iolence by a group linked to the Lyons family. Police Scotland, who are investigating the attacks under Operation Portaledge, have previously denied any links between the double murder in Spain and the ongoing feud. However the Chief Constable went one step further on Thursday when she presented her force's annual report to SPA board members. The report said:" Police Scotland is supporting Spanish Police following the fatal shootings in Fuengirola. "At this time there is no evidence to suggest these deaths are linked to the recent criminal attacks in Scotland being investigated as part of Operation Portaledge or that the fatal shooting was planned in Scotland." Ms Farrell also revealed the numbers of arrests under Portaledge had reached 49 and thanked both the public and forensic staff at the Scottish Police Authority for their help. She added: "A dedicated team of officers from our Specialist Crime Division, with support from local divisions across the country, continue to carry out extensive enquiries to gather vital evidence and reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols. "We are still working tirelessly to build cases and are following a number of significant lines of enquiry. "The support of our communities is essential when it comes to tackling serious organised crime, preventing violence and getting justice for victims. I want to thank the public for their assistance so far and encourage anyone else with information to come forward." Both Monaghan and Lyons jnr were gunned down in front of terrified customers who had been watching the Champions League Final on television. The gunman shot Lyons jnr first then chased Monaghan into the bar where he was shot several times. On June 13 Merseyside Police, acting on an international arrest warrant detained a Liverpool man called Michael Riley in connection with the shootings The 44-year-old has since appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London where he was remanded ahead of an extradition hearing on October 9. Career criminal Ross Monaghan was tried but acquitted over the murder of notorious Daniel enforcer Kevin "Gerbil" Carroll at an Asda car park in Glasgow in 2010. Seven years later he and Lyons jnr were cleared of being involved in a brutal street attack on three men outside the Campsie bar in Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow. Since last month's double murder Monaghan's bar has reopened under another name, The Irish Rover.
Daily Record
27-06-2025
- Daily Record
Scots cops say underworld killings in Costa Del Sol "not linked" to gang war on home turf
Scotland's most senior police officer says the fatal shootings of two men in Spain were not planned in Scotland or are linked to ongoing gangland violence here. The Chief Constable of Police Scotland has refuted claims by Spanish police that the murders of two Glasgow underworld figures on the Costa Del Sol last month are linked to a long running gangland feud here. At a meeting yesterday in Edinburgh of oversight body the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) Jo Farrell also denied the fatal shootings were planned in Scotland. Ross Monaghan, 46, and Eddie Lyons jnr, 43, were both shot dead at an Irish bar co owned by Monaghan in the Spanish holiday resort of Fuengirola on May 31. Both victims were senior members of the Lyons crime clan who have been involved in a long running feud with the rival Daniel family dating back almost 25 years. At a press conference earlier this month Malaga -based police chief, Pedro Agudo Novo, who is investigating the double murder, said it was linked to a rivalry with the Daniel family, which resurfaced earlier this year across Scotland. When asked if the gunman belonged to the Daniel's crime family, replied: "Yes. Absolutely." He then added: "The double murder was carried out by a professional killer and member of one of the victims' rival gangs. "In this case, we are not talking about an independent hired killer, but an internal member of the rival Daniels gang who ends up assassinating two members of an enemy gang." Since March members and associates of the Daniel family in Edinburgh and Glasgow have been subjected to fire bombings, machete assaults and other targeted iolence by a group linked to the Lyons family. Police Scotland, who are investigating the attacks under Operation Portaledge, have previously denied any links between the double murder in Spain and the ongoing feud. However the Chief Constable went one step further yesterday when she presented her force's annual report to SPA board members. The report said:" Police Scotland is supporting Spanish Police following the fatal shootings in Fuengirola. "At this time there is no evidence to suggest these deaths are linked to the recent criminal attacks in Scotland being investigated as part of Operation Portaledge or that the fatal shooting was planned in Scotland." Ms Farrell also revealed that the numbers of arrests under Portaledge had reached 49 and thanked both the public and forensic staff at the Scottish Police Authority for their help. She added:"A dedicated team of officers from our Specialist Crime Division, with support from local divisions across the country, continue to carry out extensive enquiries to gather vital evidence and reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols. "We are still working tirelessly to build cases and are following a number of significant lines of enquiry. "The support of our communities is essential when it comes to tackling serious organised crime, preventing violence and getting justice for victims. I want to thank the public for their assistance so far and encourage anyone else with information to come forward." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Both Monaghan and Lyons jnr were gunned down in front of terrified customers who had been watching the Champions League Final on television. The gunman shot Lyons jnr first then chased Monaghan into the bar where he was shot several times. On June 13 Merseyside Police, acting on an international arrest warrant detained a Liverpool man called Michael Riley in connection with the shootings The 44-year-old has since appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London where he was remanded ahead of an extradition hearing on October 9. Career criminal Ross Monaghan was tried but acquitted over the murder of notorious Daniel enforcer Kevin "Gerbil" Carroll at an Asda car park in Glasgow in 2010. Seven years later he and Lyons jnr were cleared of being involved in a brutal street attack on three men outside the Campsie bar in Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow. Since last month's double murder Monaghan's bar has reopened under another name, The Irish Rover.
The Herald Scotland
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Police Scotland boss explains new guidance on searching trans people
It comes after the UK Supreme Court ruled in April that the words 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex. The interim guidance means searches of a transgender person, whether in custody or in a stop-and-search, will be carried out by someone of the same biological sex as them. However if someone whose lived gender differs from their biological sex asks to be searched by an officer of their lived gender, efforts will be made to find one where 'operationally viable'. In these circumstances, written consent will be required from an authorising officer, the person to be searched, and the officer(s) conducting the search. Chief Constable Jo Farrell spoke about the guidance at a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority in Edinburgh on Thursday. She said the force hopes it will protect officers and staff and be transparent for the public. 'This is a complex area, and the guidance is not without potential unintended consequences,' Ms Farrell said. 'However, we must ensure Police Scotland acts lawfully in meeting its duty under the Equality Act and the Human Rights Act. Read More 'We must give officers and staff confidence that they are conducting searches lawfully. 'We must protect officers and staff from potential challenges, which could include criminal allegations.' She said the force recognises transgender colleagues may wish to exempt themselves from these types of searches to avoid having to disclose their own gender identity. The chief constable said officers are entitled to ask to be excused from searches for a variety of reasons and will be able to do so in transgender searches with 'no career detriment'. She added: 'I want to recognise that this has an impact on people, and underline that our objectives here are to preserve people's dignity, ensure Police Scotland and our officers and staff are acting lawfully and in line with the Equality Act and the Human Rights Act, and to protect our officers and staff from potential challenge.' The provision of single-sex spaces in Police Scotland facilities was also discussed. Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said an audit of facilities across the estate is being carried out and the work is progressing 'with a degree of haste'. Police Scotland said the interim guidance, published on Wednesday, will be kept under review, with ongoing legal advice and engagement with key stakeholders. The force said its wider review into sex and gender is ongoing and further updates will be issued in due course.
