Posted by Iain McKie on February 07, 2000 at 18:40:33:
Things have moved quickly since the 14 Lothians and Borders Police fingerprint 'experts' backed our call for an open and independent enquiry.
Today Mr William Robertson, Chief Constable of Northern Constabularly and President of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Scotland) ( ACPO(S) )announced an inquiry.
( For the full story of today's developments see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotlandnews )
He stated that the ACPO(S) decision to ask Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir William Taylor, to carry out an inquiry had been unanimous.
We have still to receive official confirmation of this action from the Lord Advocate and the Minister for Justice.
While we welcome this move we await information on the Inquiry's terms of reference.We believe that it will be independent in that Inspector of Constabulary is an employee of the Government and will report to the Minister for Justice.
It must be open however and the findings published. We also require that all relevant witnesses and productions are considered before any decisions are made.
It is also important that the Lothians and Borders experts are protected following their allegations and that any other employees of the Police or related organisations are similarly protected.
It seems appropriate now to encourage experts and others with information to come forward. We firmly believe that there are employees of SCRO who given that protection have a story to tell.
Given the level of cover-up attempted in Shirley's case I know the issue has a way to run. It is important that Sir William Taylor is aware of every aspect of this case and we hope anyone with relevant information will contact him.
To our many friends and supporters wordwide "Thank You". Without Pat Wertheim, David Grieve, Ed German
Allan Bayle, the 14 Lothians and Borders experts and all of you who put your reputations on the line this inquiry would never have been possible.
I repeat that I feel the story is only half told. It is important to continue to be alert until every issue has been addressed and remedial action taken.
While allowing the inquiry team to do its work I will continue to update the board and hope some of you will feel it worthwhile to keep the debate moving forward.
Remember these Internet sites have played and continue to play and important role. They are analysed by the decision makers and appear to be a valuable tool in monitoring abuses of the profession and science of fingerprinting.
Regards to you and yours, Iain and Shirley McKie