Scotland’s first minister, Humza Yousaf, has said he is “very open” to a public inquiry into why it took almost 20 years to bring Iain Packer to justice, after the serial rapist and killer was jailed for 36 years for the 2005 murder of Emma Caldwell and a horrific catalogue of sexual violence against 22 other women.
The Scottish National party leader said the details of sustained police failings that emerged during Packer’s trial – including a dismissive attitude to reports of violence against sex workers and a refusal to follow up on warnings about Packer’s behaviour – were “incredibly concerning”, as he was pressed on the case at first minister’s questions on Thursday, the day after Packer was sentenced.
