KC will lead the independent
Public Inquiry into the investigation of Emma Caldwell's murder.
Justice Secretary announced the appointment
of , a Senator of the College of
Justice, in an update to the Scottish Parliament.
Emma, 27, was murdered in April 2005. In February last year her
killer was convicted and given a life sentence for Emma's murder
and violent offences against other women.
The Justice Secretary said:
“In March last year, I announced that there would be a Public
Inquiry into the investigation of Emma's murder in 2005 to
provide answers to the victims and survivors involved and ensure
that lessons are learned for the future. 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.
“I will now consult on the terms of reference and
seek the views of Emma's family and others on the inquiry's
remit. I will update Parliament on the terms of reference and the
timescale for the inquiry's formal setting-up date in due
course.”
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.
“I come to this role with three years of experience as a judge of
the Court of Session and High Court of Justiciary. This followed
over 20 years in the voluntary sector, primarily in the area of
human rights, as well as over 30 years in private practice as a
criminal defence lawyer and work in several reviews which
scrutinised the use of various powers by the Police Service of
Scotland.
“I look forward to discussing the terms of reference with the
Cabinet Secretary and to establishing and working with an inquiry
team to start our work as soon as possible.”
Background
, a graduate of the University of
Glasgow, qualified as a solicitor in 1987. He was appointed a
Queen's Counsel in 2011 and a judge in 2022.
He chaired the Scottish Human Rights Centre from 1997 to 2005;
convened the Howard League for Penal Reform in Scotland from 2006
until 2018; and chaired Justice Scotland in 2014.
In 2015, chaired an Independent Advisory
Group on police ‘Stop and Search' powers and he chaired
independent reviews into biometrics in policing in Scotland and
the impact on communities of policing of the miners' strike in
1984-85.
chaired the Scottish Mental
Health Law Review from May 2019 and submitted the Review's final
report to Scottish Ministers in September 2022.
In 2020, he chaired a group providing independent scrutiny on
Police Scotland's use of emergency powers under Coronavirus
legislation.
Read the Justice Secretary's
statement to Parliament on 7 March 2024 announcing plans for a
statutory Public Inquiry
Government Initiated
Question confirming that has agreed to chair
the independent Public Inquiry into the investigation of
Emma Caldwell's murder.
