Fingerprint Inquiry
The Fingerprint Inquiry is a public inquiry set up by Scottish Government ministers under the Inquiries Act 2005 to "investigate the steps taken to verify the fingerprints associated with the case of the Lord Advocate v Shirley McKie in 1999, and related matters."[1]
Terms of reference
The Fingerprint Inquiry has the following terms of reference:
- To inquire into the steps that were taken to identify and verify the fingerprints associated with, and leading up to, the case of HM Advocate v. McKie in 1999, and
- To determine, in relation to the fingerprint designated Y7, the consequences of the steps taken, or not taken, and
- To report findings of fact and make recommendations as to what measures might now be introduced, beyond those that have already been introduced since 1999, to ensure that any shortcomings are avoided in the future.[2]
Inquiry proceedings
The chairman, Sir Anthony Campbell PC, QC, opened the inquiry proceedings on Tuesday 2 June 2009 in Maryhill Community Central Hall, Glasgow. Following Sir Anthony's introductory statement, senior counsel to the inquiry made a public presentation of all the material that has been collected. Thereafter, lawyers for the core participants are expected to make their opening statements. The hearing of oral evidence is scheduled to commence at 10.15 am on Tuesday 9 June.[3][4] Core participants at the inquiry include:
- Scottish Lord Advocate, Elish Angiolini, who will be represented by the Crown Agent, Norman McFadyen
- Stephen House, chief constable of Strathclyde Police
- Fingerprint experts Peter Swann and Pat Wertheim
- David Asbury (whose murder conviction was quashed on appeal)[5]
- Shirley McKie
- Ms McKie's father Iain McKie (who has called upon Sir Anthony to use his powers to put all the witnesses under oath, and urged former Lord Advocate Lord Boyd and former justice ministers, Cathy Jamieson and Jim Wallace, to give evidence).[6]
Controversy
The Fingerprint Inquiry was embroiled in controversy on the opening day when it was reported that Gerry Moynihan QC, senior counsel to the inquiry, has a potential conflict of interest relating to the Shirley McKie case.[7] In his opening statement to the inquiry, Moynihan referred to rumours that Ms McKie was romantically linked to a police officer at the Kilmarnock house of murder victim Marion Ross.[8]
Lockerbie link?
In 2007, it was reported that there may have been a link between the McKie fingerprint case and the Lockerbie bombing.[9]
References
- ^ "The Fingerprint Inquiry Scotland".
- ^ "Terms of reference". Retrieved 2009-06-02.
- ^ "Inquiry Announcements and Notices".
- ^ "McKie inquiry evidence to start". BBC News. 2009-06-01. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
- ^ "Murder conviction is quashed". BBC News. 2002-08-15. Retrieved 2009-06-03.
- ^ "Lord Advocate to appear before Shirley McKie fingerprint inquiry". timesonline. Retrieved 2009-06-03.
- ^ Tom Gordon (2009-06-02). "McKie fingerprint inquiry hit by QC's conflict of interest". Sunday Herald.
- ^ Stephen McGinty (2009-06-03). "Shirley McKie 'romance' inquiry". The Scotsman.
- ^ "Inquiry into Lockerbie link to McKie prints 'cover-up'". The Scotsman. 2007-06-04. Retrieved 2009-06-02.