Justice Secretary Angela Constance has confirmed that an independent judge-led statutory public inquiry will be established to examine the police response to the murder of Emma Caldwell.
The minister said the "gravity of this case, the length of time that it took for justice to be served, the horrific extent of the sexual violence suffered by the victims and survivors and the suffering endured by their families," meant the case for the probe was "clear and compelling."
READ MORE: Emma Caldwell: A daughter and sister, not only a murder victim
Emma's mother, Margaret, was in Holyrood's public gallery on Thursday to hear the announcement. She met with Ms Constance earlier in the day and had previously spoken to the First Minister, the Lord Advocate and the Chief Constable during the week.
The minister said Margaret had told her that the family "struggled for 19 years to get justice" and would "wait however long it takes to see the truth and we'll accept nothing less."
Ms Constance told the Parliament: "I know of no greater loss than that which comes with the loss of one's child. It seems unimaginable that loss, grief and pain - a pain which Margaret Caldwell describes as enduring and excruciating - could be further compounded with almost two decades of not knowing what happened to your child, and why they were taken from you.
"The courage and conviction of the Caldwell family and of Emma's mum Margaret is something that will have left a lasting impression on all those who have had the privilege of engaging with the family."
The minister added: "It is time to apply fresh scrutiny to this case, to understand what went wrong to ensure that lessons are learned for the future and to provide answers to all victims and survivors in this case."
Ms Constance said that work would be undertaken to explore who should lead the inquiry, and said she was sympathetic to calls to bring in someone from outside Scotland.
"To be clear, I have faith and confidence in the independence and integrity of the Scottish judiciary. There is, however, some precedent in looking beyond Scotland for a chair."
Ms Constance added: "To the Caldwell family, no matter what I say today or announce in this chamber, it will not be enough to respond to your loss and tragedy.
"But I, this government and I very much believe this parliament want to do everything that we can. And so for you Margaret, for William, for your family and for women and girls across this country, but most of all for Emma, I am pleased to tell parliament today that there will be a public inquiry. "
READ MORE: Police Scotland criticised over Emma Caldwell investigation
Last week, Iain Packer was jailed for life with a minimum term of 36 years, after being found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow of murdering Emma in 2005.
He was also found guilty on 11 charges of rape against nine women and 21 other charges, including sexual assault and abduction.
In 2015 the Sunday Mail revealed Packer had taken Emma to Limehouse Woods, where her body was found, six times.
Police responded by launching an unlawful inquiry to identify the paper’s sources before finally being ordered to reopen the murder investigation by then Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland.
In 2019, Packer told the BBC journalist Sam Polling he had taken police officers to the woods where Emma's body was found in 2007.
He gave multiple statements to police over two years but was never interviewed under caution as a suspect.
READ MORE: Emma Caldwell murderer appeals conviction and sentence
Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Russell Findlay praised the Caldwell family and Margaret in particular, saying their “strength and their dignity are truly humbling”.
He told MSPs: “Their campaign for Emma has been backed by good police officers, lawyers and journalists.
“But let me be clear, the only reason that her daughter’s killer is now behind bars is because of her love and her strength.
“Left to Police Scotland and the Crown Office, I believe that Iain Packer would certainly still be out there – raping women with impunity.”
Scottish Labour justice spokeswoman Pauline McNeill said: “It is the job of this Parliament to ensure no family should ever have to wait two decades for justice.
“Scottish Labour stands full square behind the Government and Angela Constance today in her decision to hold a public inquiry to establish why, among other things, there was no prosecution in 2008 when it appeared the police and the Crown had enough evidence to do so.
“A public inquiry must get to the truth of this – and that includes questioning all of the criminal justice agencies who have questions to answer.”
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