The parents of murder victim Claire Inglis revealed how at an impromptu meeting with John Swinney at Holyrood and he vowed to do everything to provide answers over their daughter’s death.
Twisted Christopher McGowan, who had 39 previous convictions, strangled and battered Claire six weeks after being freed to live at the Stirling flat she shared with her young son.
We revealed McGowan, 29, who had a conviction for aggravated domestic assault against an ex-partner, was subject to five separate bail orders, when he appeared in court over Claire’s death.
Her parents Ian and Fiona were at Holyrood on the third anniversary to hear Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay narrate the litany of failures that led to Claire’s death.
Claire’s dad Ian,60, from Stirling, said: “We met the First Minister in the hallway. He approached us and genuinely seemed to care. He promised us he will do everything in his limited power to help.
“But we shouldn’t have had to come to parliament again to beg for answers. It was a difficult enough day.
“We have waited years for answers, we believe Claire could have been saved but she was failed by the justice system. We want to know why.
Mum Fiona, 63, added: “We also want to make sure this doesn’t happen again and no other family have to suffer the torment and heartache we have.”
Claire’s parents have been given fresh hope as the Crown Office is considering a fatal accident inquiry into her death in November 2021.
Last week Findlay accused the SNP government of a “soft-touch justice approach” to dangerous criminals.
Expressing his sympathies to Claire’s parents, Swinney said he had taken steps to ask Stirling council to examine the circumstances further.
Swinney said: “We have taken steps to ask Stirling council to undertake further examination and exploration of the issues involved, to engage directly with Claire’s parents and obviously we will discuss those issues in this exchange today.
“I remain committed to making sure that the family receives the answers that they understandably deserve.”
We revealed that prior to Claire’s death, McGowan was granted bail three times to her home.
It sparked a Sunday Mail campaign for laws to block violent offenders being bailed to the homes of vulnerable women.
Concerns had been raised over McGowan staying at Claire’s home two months before the attack and the address was visited three days before the murder by social workers, but they could not contact her.
Days later, she was dead.
Former FM Humza Yousaf had promised to review their plea before quitting in May.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay MSP said: “I feel privileged to be able to question the First Minister on behalf of Fiona and Ian about the circumstances surrounding the murder of their beloved daughter.
“But they should not have to endure the ordeal of having to again come to parliament and plead for answers. Nor should they be left waiting almost five months for an update from Mr Swinney that he told me he would provide ‘soon’.
“Far too many crime victims are left in limbo, deprived of information and made to feel unwelcome by the Scottish justice system which has been relentlessly weakened over 17 miserable years of SNP rule.”
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “The Council remains committed to reviewing the circumstances surrounding the murder of Claire Inglis, and had undertaken to conduct an independently chaired review process on terms acceptable to the Scottish Government.
“Following a request for information from the Sudden Fatalities Investigation Unit of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Council has paused the independent review process. The Council will await the outcome of the Procurator Fiscal’s investigation on whether a fatal accident inquiry will be held before deciding on further action. The Council is cooperating fully with the Procurator Fiscal’s request.
“The public protection partners in the Stirling area will continue to fully cooperate with that investigation and will undertake any necessary learning review following the conclusion of that process. Our thoughts remain with Claire’s family.”
In October last year, McGowan, was ordered to serve at least 23 years in jail for Claire’s murder.
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