(776) SHIRLEY MCKIE INQUIRY ANNOUNCED
On 14 March 2008 Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill announced a public judicial inquiry into the Shirley McKie affair (see previously No 636), with 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 to determine, in relation to the fingerprint designated Y7, the consequences of the steps taken, or not taken 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
The inquiry will be headed by Lord Justice Sir Anthony Campbell of the Northern Ireland High Court (who previously headed the Chhokar inquiry – see Nos 88, 94, 135, 160), and will start in September. Mr MacAskill indicated that setting up the inquiry fulfilled an SNP manifesto commitment.