THE family of Emma Caldwell warned today that “there must be no attempt by the Chief Constable, Police Scotland, and Crown Office to shut down the evidence” in the inquiry into the investigation into her murder.

Ms Caldwell was murdered in 2005 by Iain Packer but, despite opportunities to bring him to justice, he was left free to terrorise women until his 2022 arrest.

He was finally jailed for 36 years in 2024 for Ms Caldwell’s murder, 11 rapes and 21 additional charges including sexual assaults against other women.

After the conviction, a public inquiry was launched into the actions of Strathclyde Police, under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), to be chaired by Lord Scott.

Ms Caldwell’s mother Margaret Caldwell, alongside her family and their lawyers Aamer Anwar and April Meechan, met with Lord Scott today to discuss its conduct, including concerns over the omission of Police Scotland — which succeeded Strathclyde Police in 2013 — from its remit.

Speaking behalf of the family after the meeting, Mr Anwar said: “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. 

“Margaret did not spend 20 years fighting for the truth to see Police Scotland excluded from investigation, that would be a travesty of justice and a further betrayal of Emma and the many women who suffered.

“Had the police and crown done their job properly, he would have been arrested in 2008 and not left free to rape and terrorise until his arrest in February 2022.”

He warned: “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.”

A COPFS spokesperson said it “fully supports the independent public inquiry and will co-operate appropriately with the chair and inquiry team.”

Police Scotland’s Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “Emma Caldwell’s family have shown incredible courage and determination following her murder in 2005 and we are absolutely committed to supporting the Inquiry and getting her loved ones the answers they deserve.”