Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleNeil PooranMonday 06 April 2026 11:36 BSTPublic inquiry into Emma Caldwell's murder announced by Scotland’s justice secretaryFormer detectives involved in the initial investigation into Emma Caldwell's 2005 murder claim their suspicions regarding Iain Packer, who was convicted 19 years later, were ignored by superiors.Two detectives from Operation Grail told the Beware Book podcast that they were “100 per cent certain” of Packer's guilt, with one recalling Packer admitting he took Ms Caldwell to the location where her body was found.Despite these strong suspicions, a group of Turkish men were wrongly arrested in 2007 in connection with the murder, and the case against them subsequently collapsed.Detectives expressed frustration that their warnings were dismissed, leading to Packer remaining free for years and committing further sexual offences against other women.A public inquiry, chaired by Lord Scott KC, is set to examine the police investigation into the murder, with Police Scotland committing to support it.In fullDetectives say suspicions about Emma Caldwell’s killer were ignored by superiorsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in