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Post by Rubislaw32 on Aug 5, 2018 6:17:32 GMT -8
In to-day's Sunday Post newspaper,the headline :
''Justice at last ? Police launch major inquiry into scores of serious crimes uncovered by Emma Caldwell murder team.''
A comment from Margaret Caldwell,the mother of murder victim Emma :
''Above all,I would like to see justice for Emma,but I would be happy if the inquiry into her death might also give justice to other women and other victims.''
Mrs.Caldwell added :
''After all these years,that would be a good thing.I'm sure Emma would be happy,too.She'd have wanted that to happen.''
A police source,said :
'' This is a major inquiry which will run separately from the [Emma's] murder inquiry.It will follow up on evidence,in statements given during the original inquiry.''
Comment : ----------
This sort of development must always be good for the possibilities of obtaining justice for serious crimes,previously falling under the radar.The inference of this announcement is,that crimes implied,are one's perpetrated against practising prostitutes.That these prostitutes should feel encouraged to step forward,with complaints,must be all to the good.And,may well further assist the Emma Caldwell murder investigation team,with their inquiries.
Having said this,we the public,are aware that the Emma Caldwell team have submitted a named suspect,for Emma's murder,to public prosecutors.And,there is certainly evidence,in print,that the Crown Office would wish for a specific person,to give themselves up,for the crime of taking Emma Caldwell's life.
Given that there are pointers that indicate that Ms.Caldwell was murdered by a serial offender,it is certainly up for consideration,how far and wide,these extended inquiries will reach.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Aug 8, 2018 5:20:56 GMT -8
The new initiative,by Police Scotland,in dealing with complaints from victims of abuse that have come forward,in light of the murder re-investigation of Emma Caldwell,appears to be already working.
Three days ago,34 year old Dumbarton man,Kevin Adair,was sentenced to nine years imprisonment,and a further six years suspended,for raping and beating Maria Todd and four other women,over an 11 year period.
Detective Superintendent Gordon McCreadie,said that other women abused,would be fully supported.
He added :
''In cases such as this [Adair],it takes confidence for any other victim to come forward,and when they feel ready to do so,Police Scotland will work with partners to listen to their report,investigate it thoroughly,and then support them through any criminal justice process.''.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Aug 12, 2018 4:22:08 GMT -8
As Police Scotland and the Crown Office move into an apparent new,and hopefully final phase,in the 3 year old murder re-investigation of Emma Caldwell,there have been significant changes in influential positions,related to this investigation.
i] Frank Mulholland,then Lord Advocate,who ordered the murder re-investigations of Brenda Page [July 14th 1978],in February 2015,and Emma Caldwell [April 5th 2005],in May 2015,stood down from his ''law chief'' position,in May 2016,in order ''to do other things''.Mulholland has become a senior judge,is rarely seen,and appears to have an ''indeterminable'' portfolio.
ii] Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary,Derek Penman,took retirement in March of this year.It was Penman who delivered an assurance review of Police Scotland,in June 2016,to the Justice Committee,at Holyrood.His appearance highlighted by his denial of Deputy Chief Constable Richardson's claim that there had been an ongoing ''live murder inquiry'',at the time of The Counter Corruption Unit's illegal spying on newspaper sources.
At the time referred,March 2015,when new human rights legislation came into effect,there had indeed been an ongoing ''live murder inquiry''.Of one month duration,and namely,''The Brenda Page murder re-investigation''.An inquiry,no less of a ''live murder inquiry'',than Emma Caldwell's was to become,in May of 2015.
Deputy Chief Constable Richardson was telling the truth.
Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary,Derek Penman,was misrepresenting the truth.
iii] Andrew Flanagan,who chaired the Scottish Police Authority,the watchdog committee of Police Scotand,resigned,when claiming to have been overruled by Justice Secretary,Michael Matheson,over a decision to allow suspended Chief Constable Philip Gormley,to return to his duties.Flanagan has been replaced by Professor Susan Deacon.
iv] Justice Secretary to the Scottish Cabinet,Michael Matheson,has been transferred to the Ministry for Transport,in a recent Cabinet re-shuffle by First Minister,Nicola Sturgeon.The new Justice Secretary is Humza Yousaf MSP.
v] Chief Constable Philip Gormley,finally resigned in February of this year,having been suspended from duties,following allegations of bullying and misuse of public monies.This suspension was approximately one year after assurances made to politicians that full transparency over the claimed Police Scotland Spying Scandal,largely linked to the murder investigation of Emma Caldwell,would come to light.
It wouldn't be until another five months,before some information was forthcoming.But,to this day,it is apparent that the whole truth has never emerged.
Current Acting Chief Constable,Iain Livingstone,has applied for the permanent position of Chief Constable,to be decided by the Scottish Police Authority,in October.Livngstone faces competition from Northern Ireland Senior Policeman,Johnny Gwynne,and Lincolnshire Chief Constable,Bill Skelly.
Since the Police Scotland Spying Scandal broke,there have been an estimated 70 resignations or ''early retirements'',including two Chief Constables.
A high cost,perhaps ?
If we actually stand back,for a moment,what do we perceive ?
''Shenanigans'' representing a concern that the press should learn of information,linked to the murder of Emma Caldwell.
All life ought to be sacred.What makes Ms.Caldwell's life,apparently that much more special ? Perhaps more fuss made,over a female sex worker,than since Mary Magdeline,2,000 years ago.
Well,I would suggest firstly,that Ms.Caldwell was a victim of a serial killer.The obvious implication that,there are further victims,indirectly linked to her murder.
If public prosecutors are confident of a conviction,for the suspect,now put forward by senior detectives,as responsible for the murder of Emma Caldwell :
Then,the named suspect will be arrested,and charged.
And,the perceived ''House of Cards'' will come tumbling down.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Aug 15, 2018 15:05:45 GMT -8
Earlier than expected,it was announced to-day,that Acting Chief Constable of Police Scotland,Iain Livingstone,has been appointed to the role of Chief Constable,on a permanent basis.
New Justice Secretary,Humza Yousaf,welcomed the appointment,saying :
''Iain has demonstrated he has the right qualities to lead Police Scotland,as the service continues to enhance its ability to tackle crime,and keep people safe.''.
Chief Constable Livingstone,is the third appointment of a Chief Constable,in five years,and Liberal Democrat Leader,Willie Rennie,was being more guarded,when he said :
''The Force has a wide range of challenges.Without change,they will persist,irrespective of who is in the leading role.''.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Aug 19, 2018 7:49:00 GMT -8
It has just been announced that Ex Chief Constable of Police Scotland,Philip Gormley,has been appointed to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary,to oversee performance of police forces in northern England and the nation state of Northern Ireland.
Gormley resigned his post as Police Scotland's Chief Constable,in February of this year,following six months of mounting allegations of bullying.
Supporters of Gormley say that such a prestigious post is a vote of confidence in his talents,and believe that he was a victim of a political witch-hunt.
This news revives concerns about the perceived meddling in police matters,at the time of Gormley's suspension,by then Justice Secretary,Michael Matheson.
Recently,Matheson was moved to the Ministry of Transport,which was seen as a demotion,in First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's Cabinet re-shuffle.
Comment --------
The ghost of Emma Caldwell,continues to haunt the corridors of Scottish politics.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Sept 19, 2018 10:26:43 GMT -8
With flamboyant political figure,and ex-First Minister of Scotland,Alex Salmond,being investigated,in relation to allegations of sexual assault,the name ''Emma Caldwell'' is never too far from this currently breaking news story,in the UK.
Detective Chief Superintendent Lesley Boal,has been assigned the task of spearheading a police probe,as part of the recently set up investigation into sexual and physical abuse,linked to the murder re-investigation of Emma Caldwell.
A new story for the press,now,with Mr.Salmond's political career seemingly in the balance.But,with DCS Boal's police investigation into Mr.Salmond's conduct,Emma Caldwell's name will gain additional mention in press reports regarding Mr.Salmond,as well as with further progress reports into Ms.Caldwell's own murder inquiry.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Mar 1, 2019 17:30:31 GMT -8
This coming Monday,March 4th,sees the airing of ''Disclosure - Who killed Emma'',by the BBC's Panorama program makers.
The program will attempt to expose serious police failings,in the original investigation,into prostitute,Emma Caldwell's murder,in April 2005.
Included in the program,will be an interview with Iain Packer,an admitted client of Ms.Caldwell,who has always denied responsibility,for her death.
The Crown Office,in Edinburgh,and Police Scotland,were unavailable for comments,on account of Ms.Caldwell's murder re-investigation,being an ongoing and live murder enquiry.
The program will be available for viewing,outside the UK,by free subscription to the ''BBC iplayer'' internet facility.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Mar 7, 2019 17:56:37 GMT -8
Following the BBC Panorama's "Who killed Emma ?'' investigative report,which was broadcast,exclusively in Scotland 8 days ago,it appears to have been ''shelved'' from further transmissions.
In addition,it is currently not available for viewing,through the ''BBC iplayer'' internet facility....contrary to previous indications,by the BBC.
Has there been an altercation,between the Crown Office,in Edinburgh,and the BBC ?
It is beginning to look that way,and I will post again,with respect to this ''mystery'',if any news materialises.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Mar 11, 2019 6:52:16 GMT -8
News to-day,that serial killer,Angus Sinclair,has died in prison.
It was Sinclair,who was finally convicted of the ''World's End'' rape and murders,of Christine Eadie and Helen Scott,in 2014.
The first serial killer,to be convicted,following the abolition of the ''Double Jeopardy'' ruling,in legislation related to ''English Common Law''.
Following an initial acquittal,for these murders,Public Prosecutor Frank Mulholland worked for seven years,to put Sinclair ''back in the dock''.And,was further able to cross question Sinclair,for two days,with regard to culpability for Ms.Eadie's and Ms.Scott's deaths.
Later,Mulholland would concede that Sinclair was the most evil man that he had ever encountered.
It is Mulholland,of course,who then ordered the murder re-investigations of Brenda Page [July 1978],and [then] Emma Caldwell [April 2005],in his capacity of Lord Advocate of Scotland.
And it is these murders,as well as others including Joan Webster,that are believed to be part of a [now] four year old police and judicial enquiry,known as ''Operation Bynum''.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Apr 12, 2019 5:57:05 GMT -8
On the 12th of May 2015,BBC and ''World in Action'' producer,Eammon O'Connor,produced and presented a Radio 4 ''File on 4'' documentary,called ''Who killed Emma ? ''.
This radio program,documenting aspects to the murder of Emma Caldwell,is stiil available,via easy internet access.
It transires,among many details emerging,that Emma's ''Daily pitch'',as a prostitute,was on the corner of Cadogan Street and Blythswood Street,Glasgow.
The street corner is about 25 paces,from the entrance to ''Epic House'',a predominently glass and steel building,employed for the purposes of a number of ''small business offices''.
I now find that,last year,between May and October,a $1 million demolition contract was carried out,and there is now an empty space,where Epic House used to exist.
Apparently,a property company,''Fore'',have bought the land,and have plans,for a $6 million replacement building,at some point in the future.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on May 14, 2019 4:44:53 GMT -8
As six men stood in the dock awaiting sentencing for various serious assault convictions,yesterday,the public were reminded,of the gangland troubles of old,with the Glasgow ''Ice Cream Wars'',of particular note.
The man about to deliver their fate,was ''none other'' than Judge Lord Mulholland.Mulholland,of course,once held the position of ''Lord Advocate''....but now,a senior judge,is begginning to preside over criminal cases,for which he is no longer ''recused''.
It was just over three years ago,that Mulholland had stood down from the position of Lord Advocate,in order to do ''other things''.
What might these ''other things'' have been [?],we all thought,seeing as his undertaking of,what appeared to be,a series of murder re-investigation requests,of teams of hand picked detectives,must have been a ''pressing'' and ''contracting'' responsibility.
Well here we are ''to-day'',more than four years on,from the ''opening'' re-investigation,into the murder of Brenda Page,in 1978.And,with an ''Operation Bynum'' dangled in front of our noses,supposedly ''spearheaded'' by the murder re-investigation of Emma Caldwell,from 2005.
Yes,Lord Mulholland completed his ''task'' yesterday....informing the six gang members that there was no place for the ''rule of the jungle'' in society,and duely sentenced them,to a total of 104 years in prison.
But ''Yo Frankie''...what has happened to ''the main event'' ?
How long more,must the bereaved of victims wait,as you,hopefully,continue to change clothes....and swap ''portfolios'' [?].
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Post by Rubislaw32 on May 21, 2019 21:29:39 GMT -8
And so it was,that yesterday,Glasgow based ''The Daily Record'' delivered the headline :
'' Emma Caldwell murder cops close in on suspect after 14-year hunt for killer ''
But...doesn't this sound like a headline before ? Except for ''14-year hunt'',being ''13-year hunt'' [?].
Yes it does...and,lo and behold,in two days time,it will be the 4th anniversary,of then Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland's request that Police Scotland re-investigate the murder of Emma Caldwell.A murder that had lain unsolved for ten years,up to that point.
Cynicism aside,a police spokesman has informed The Daily Record,that the Prosecution Service has requested that the Police Scotland re-investigtion team,go over their evidence again...just to check that all the ''i's'' are dotted,and ''t's'' are crossed.In readiness,one assumes,for the instruction of an arrest,to be made [?].
The police spokesman further reminded the newspaper,that the Crown office had been in receipt of relevant re-investigation information,for ''two or three months now''.
''Two or three months'' ? NO - ''Eleven or Twelve months'',actually.And,by the way,if anyone thinks that this re-investigtion is anything,but ENTIRELY under the dictates,and orchestration,of the Crown Office,in the first place...then they are very naive indeed.
Some well meaning ''diplomatic massaging'' of the reality,then,from a police spokesman,who has been ordered to give a false image of a well working process,moving towards a conclusion of satisfaction,to all interested parties.
For what is all too apparent is,that prosecutors are forever requiring more time....and,that real doubt they can pull this off,must surely be ''on the table''.What is particularly worrying is,that it is clear that they aware of the identity of Ms.Caldwell's perpetrator....but with so many mistakes made,and over so long a period...that justice may never be served,in this case.Indeed,a case that appears to offer so many more opportunities for further justice,if initial success can be gained.
Are the public really to see a satisfactory conclusion....or,are we about to witness a ''game'' of passing responsibility,between the prosecution service and the police,ensue ?
Perhaps it is time,for more politicians to take a closer interest,and ascertain whether these ''public servants'' of the law,are serving the public's best interests....or,their own [?].
After four years,on transparency alone,this is NOT good enough.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on May 27, 2019 20:26:48 GMT -8
When,on February 27th 2015,Frank Mulholland,then Lord Advocate of Scotland,ordered a murder re-investgation of Brenda Page [July 1978],he gave notice of possible further cases,from the North East of Scotland,in particular,that might receive similar requests,in the future.
Expectations,from interested observers,suspected that Mulholland was referring,specifically,to those pertaining to the ''Templeton Woods Murders'',in Dundee.
So,yesterday's announcement of a further search for the whereabouts of mother and son,Renee and Andrew Macrae,from Inverness,came as a surprise.Mrs Macrae and her toddler went missing on November 12th 1976.This was followed by Renee's incinerated BMW motorcar,being found at a layby,on the A6 motorway.
A police spokesman has informed the public that police have intentions to drain the ''Leanach Quarry'',in the hope of uncovering evidence of the disposal of their bodies.This undertaking is expected to take several weeks.
In 2006,a report naming a suspect,responsible for Renee and Andrew's disappearance,was submitted to public prosecutors.But,at the time,it was decided that there was insufficient evidence,to take the matter further.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Jul 9, 2019 10:22:28 GMT -8
Glasgow based ''The Daily Record'' to-day disclosed that Police Scotland had spent,in excess of $150,000 on legal fees to defend compensation claims of three officers,wrongly accused of corruption,in the Emma Caldwell linked ''Spying Scandal'',at the Counter Curruption Unit,now re-named ''The Anti-Corrution Unit''.
The three officers were named as Alan Cotten,Andrew Reid and Robert Brown.These officers claimed that their lives and careers were ruined by false accusations of corruption and tampering with statements.Their legal bid to claim in excess of $ 1 million,failed.
What might be of interest to readers is,that Robert Brown plans to make 5 seperate public disclosures,with respect to alleged criminality and cover-ups by officers of Police Scotland's ''then'' Counter Corruption Unit.
Given that,there is compelling evidence that Ms.Caldwell's case is linked to both,that of Dr.Brenda Page and ''possible'' Zodiac victim,Joan Webster,it certainly beggars the question,whether further light might be shed on these cases.
And indeed,co-operation between the Crown Office,in Edinburgh...and the F.B.I.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Sept 11, 2019 17:49:02 GMT -8
With reference to my penultimate post on this thread :
Today,Police arrested 77 year old William McDowell,in Penrith,Cumbria,and charged him with two counts of murder,and one count of perverting the course of justice.
And so might be the beginning of the end of the longest running ''missing persons'' ongoing case,in Britsh criminal history.
McDowell was the accountant to businessman,Gordon Macrae,husband of Renee Macrae,who along with her son Andrew,went missing on November 12th 1976.
McDowell is known to have been in an extra-marital relationship with Renee Macrae....and believed to have been the biological father of infant,Andrew Macrae.
Police divers and engineers continue to search Leanach Quarry,looking for evidence of the missing mother and son.
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