Misogyny, prejudice and the failure of police to listen to women’s evidence were why Packer’s arrest was delayed, says Sarwar
Yousaf urged to order judge-led inquiry on ‘one of worst policing scandals’
By Bill Heaney
Humza Yousaf has been urged by the Scottish Conservatives to appoint a judge from outside Scotland to lead a public inquiry on why it took so long to convict Iain Packer of Emma Caldwell’s murder and attacks on more than a dozen other women.
At First Minister’s Questions in the Holyrood parliament today, Tory leader Douglas Ross called it “one of Scotland’s worst policing scandals” and said it was shocking that police had launched a surveillance operation targeting journalists and whistleblowers who revealed Iain Packer was a suspect.
Emma Caldwell’s murderer Iain Packer, defence counsel Aamer Anwar, Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross.
Speaking to the Scottish Conservatives via her lawyer Aamer Anwar, Emma Caldwell’s mother, Margaret Caldwell, said: “They knew it was Iain Packer as far back as 2006, but they gave him the freedom to carry on attacking and raping vulnerable women like my Emma.”
She added: “If Mr Yousaf genuinely cares about victims and my Emma then he has no other option but to organise an independent public inquiry.”
Douglas Ross quoted her words that “a judge-led public inquiry that acts without fear or favour – that is the very least my Emma and the many women who spoke up deserve.”
Mrs Caldwell added: “For far too long those in the police or crown who failed us have remained in the shadows. Only a judge-led public inquiry will reveal the corruption, the criminality and the motivation.”
However, Humza Yousaf repeatedly refused to commit to a judge-led public inquiry but said it was an option being considered and that it “was not off the table”.
Douglas Ross was unimpressed: “Humza Yousaf must agree to a judge-led inquiry to uncover everything that went wrong in this appalling scandal.
“Emma Caldwell, her grieving family and Packer’s many victims were betrayed by what is one of Scotland’s worst policing scandals.
“Many questions remain about this shameful saga which can only be answered by a fearless and transparent inquiry.
“Why did it take so long to charge Packer? Why was he free to attack more women? Who was responsible for allowing him to walk free?
Mother calls for judge-led inquiry into police failures
“An inquiry led by a judge from outside Scotland is necessary because these were not mere accidents by Police Scotland and the Crown Office. It seems evidence was deliberately ignored and suppressed.
“It is utterly shocking that the police launched a surveillance operation targeting journalists and whistleblowers. There must be consequences for those responsible.
“Surely Humza Yousaf can see this scandal demands an independent inquiry led by a judge from outside Scotland?”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “We know that since Emma’s murder in 2005, Iain Packer committed 19 rapes, sexual offences or assaults.
“Victims who could have been protected if Iain Packer had been properly investigated.
“This injustice has spanned nineteen years and in that time we have had five lord advocates and six chief constables.
“There are many troubling issues with this case. Misogyny, prejudice and the failure to listen to women coming forward with evidence.
“And amongst those failures is a wider culture where Scottish institutions too often fight for their reputations rather than be on the side of victims and seek to find the truth.
“That culture still prevails today.
“Key breakthroughs in this investigation were only possible because of the work and bravery of journalists investigating leads that officers had ignored.
“But distressingly the first response of the Police to this vital work was not to look at the flaws in their own investigation, but instead attempt to intimidate and criminalise those journalists.
“In this case, and today, journalists, victims and campaigners seeking to uncover an injustice in Scotland too often find themselves the victim of intimidation and harassment.
“While any inquiry will look at the failings in this case over the last nineteen years, we know there are issues that persist today.
“In 2020, an independent review of the Police Complaints and disciplinary system found evidence of misogyny, racism and serious discrimination issues in Police Scotland.
“And only last year, the outgoing Chief Constable, Iain Livingstone, clearly stated that institutional racism, sexism, misogyny and discrimination exist in Police Scotland.
“Presiding Officer, I want to return to the words of Margaret Caldwell: ‘Whatever a woman’s job, status, addictions or vulnerabilities, it should never be used as a reason to ignore sexual violence or treat them as a second-class citizen.’
“Whether nineteen years ago or today, we know this culture leaves victims unprotected and costs lives.
“As a previous Justice Secretary, and now as First Minister, Humza Yousaf must set out how he will end the culture of prejudice and discrimination that denies so many justice.”
ENDS