First Minister Humza Yousaf is 'very open' to Emma Caldwell family's call for a statutory public inquiry into the investigation of her murderer, the Scottish Justice Secretary has said.

Emma Caldwell’s mother, Margaret Caldwell, and family met with the Mr Yousaf and Justice Secretary Angela Constance at Bute House in Edinburgh today, days after Iain Packer was convicted of murdering Emma in 2005. 

Following the meeting, Ms Constance said she and the First Minister were 'very open' to the call for the public inquiry and a 'quick decision' would be made.

It comes after Police Scotland apologised to The Caldwell family after they said Emma was 'let down' by policing.

Glasgow Times: Margaret Caldwell and lawyer Aamer Anwar

Ms Constance said: “The First Minister and I would like to thank Margaret Caldwell and her family for meeting with us today.

“We were able to pass on our deepest condolences directly to Margaret and express how sorry we are for the loss of her beloved daughter Emma and for the long wait for justice the family and the other women affected by this horrific case have had.

“There is no doubt they were let down, so it is right that Police Scotland has apologised for the failures of the original investigation.

“The First Minister and I discussed Margaret’s call for a judge-led public inquiry and, as the First Minister made clear last week, we are very open to this.

“He was also clear that we wanted to meet with Emma’s family and hear their views directly before making any decisions.

“We will now seriously reflect on today’s discussion and give the family’s calls for a judge-led public inquiry primary consideration as we consider next steps.

“We have told the family we will take a quick decision and inform parliament when we do so.”

Glasgow Times:

The Caldwell family’s lawyer, Aamer Anwar, was also present at the meeting. 

He said: “Margaret Caldwell wishes to thank the First Minister and Justice Secretary for meeting her today, they treated her with total compassion and empathy and she hopes they will deliver on the many promises they made today.

“The First Minister promised that he will give primary consideration to the family’s demands for a statutory public inquiry, and the Justice Secretary Angela Constance promised to update parliament within days on their decision.

“We know that evidence exists that the abduction, rape and murder of Emma Caldwell and the subsequent rapes of women might have been prevented or at least disrupted had allegations against Packer been properly investigated.

“How many women have to die or be raped before our police service and criminal justice system is held to account?

“We welcome the public statements of Humza Yousaf on tackling misogyny and violence against women, and we hope he will now commit to a robust and independent public inquiry on the catastrophic failures in the Emma Caldwell case.

“We appreciate that the Government will seek the views of the Lord Advocate and Chief Constable, whom we will also meet over the next two days, but they cannot be allowed to investigate themselves.

“Both institutions of Crown Office and the police must answer as to why one of the worst sex offenders in the UK was gifted his freedom for some 17 years.”

Glasgow Times:

Mrs Caldwell will meet Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell on Wednesday afternoon and Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain the following day.

A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: “This week, the Lord Advocate will meet with Emma’s family and their solicitor to answer questions about the investigation and criminal proceedings.

“We feel that to respect this meeting it would not be appropriate to comment publicly on matters which should be discussed first with Emma’s family.

“However, we can confirm a previous statement that, following a full independent investigation, Crown Counsel concluded that there was insufficient evidence of criminality on the part of any police officer involved in the investigation of Emma Caldwell’s murder.

“As in all cases, the Crown reserved the right to proceed in the future should further evidence become available.”

Police said that, over seven years, a full review of the original inquiry by Strathclyde Police in 2005 was completed.

A spokesperson said: “As part of the re-investigation, a report was also sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in relation to the Strathclyde Police investigation.”