Chief Constable Jo Farrell apologises to Emma Caldwell's mother

It comes as Margaret Caldwell met with the Chief Constable today after Iain Packer, 51, was jailed for life with a minimum of 36 years after being found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow last week of murdering her daughter in 2005. 

He was also convicted with 11 counts of rape against nine women and 21 further charges, including sexual assaults.

He has lodged an appeal against all convictions and his sentence.

The Chief Constable said: "Emma Caldwell, her family, and many other victims, were let down by policing in 2005. I am sorry.

“I offered that apology personally to Emma’s family today and I am grateful they gave me the opportunity to do so and to listen to their perspective and experience. I pay tribute to their courage, resilience, and determination in the years since her death.

“I listened carefully to the family’s statement following Packer’s conviction and I understand when they say the conviction brings no joy, elation or closure but that it simply allows Emma’s mother Margaret to breathe again.

“It is important that Emma’s family and the public get answers to the many questions they have."

After meeting with Margaret, the Chief Constable has backed holding a public inquiry into the investigation, the family’s lawyer has said.

Lawyer Aamer Anwar said: “Today we met with the chief constable, who once again apologised for the failures of the police service, in that they failed Emma, her family and the many victims.

“The family were grateful to the chief constable for her honesty and empathy, but we still have a long way to go.

"The family are grateful that the chief constable has stated she fully supports their demands for a public inquiry, that is the only way that the police service of Scotland and former officers can ever truly be held to account.

“Had it not been for Margaret Caldwell’s tireless campaigning, then any hope of justice would have been buried forever. We know Packer carried out rapes, sexual offences and assaults some 19 times after Emma’s murder in 2005." 

The Chief Constable added: "I support the family’s calls for a public inquiry. I absolutely commit that Police Scotland will fully participate in any further proceedings."

Anwar added: “Should a public inquiry be announced in the coming days, the chief constable promised the family that Police Scotland would fully co-operate, but the family sought an assurance that any officers past or present called to give evidence, will be denied the right to immunity from prosecution.

“If they have nothing to hide, then they have nothing to fear from speaking with candour. If they broke the law, then of course they must face the prospect of imprisonment.”

Mrs Caldwell and her family are due to meet the Lord Advocate on Thursday in Edinburgh.

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.”