A public inquiry is to be held into the police investigation of the murder of Emma Caldwell, Scotland’s Justice Secretary Angela Constance has announced.

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 the 27-year-old in 2005 and of multiple offences involving other women.

While Packer was interviewed by police officers the month after Emma's body was found at Limefield Woods in May that year, it was only last week he was convicted of her murder.

Police Scotland has already apologised to the family of Miss Caldwell and his other victims, saying they were “let down” by policing in 2005.

Caldwell's family were informed today that evidence existed in 2008 to prosecute Packer, who has appealed his life sentence. 

Scotland’s Justice Secretary Angela Constance told MSPs what Emma Caldwell’s mother Margaret said to her.

She said Mrs Caldwell told her: “My daughter Emma and the many victims who so courageously spoke up deserve nothing less than a robust, independent public inquiry and a judge who will act without fear or favour.

“There are those who say that such inquiries take too long. My family have struggled for 19 years to get justice and we will wait however long it takes to see the truth, and will accept nothing less.

“Following that meeting with the Caldwell family, I can today announce that there will be an independent, judge led, statutory public inquiry, and preparations will begin immediately.”

She said consideration is being given to whether a judge from outside of Scotland should be appointed to take the work forward.

Mrs Caldwell looked on from the public gallery at Holyrood as the Justice Secretary made the announcement.

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.”

Mr Findlay pushed the Justice Secretary on whether the judge appointed to lead the inquiry will come from outside Scotland, with Ms Constance saying she is “open” to the suggestion.

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.”

Ms McNeill went on to back a judge from outside of Scotland being appointed to head the inquiry, and urged Ms Constance to ensure the probe begins “in a timely manner”.