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McKie public inquiry due to meet McKie inquiry holds first hearing
(about 10 hours later)
A public inquiry into the Shirley McKie fingerprint scandal is to hold its first formal meeting in Glasgow. The public inquiry into the Shirley McKie fingerprint scandal has opened in Glasgow.
Ms McKie was cleared of perjury after being accused of leaving a fingerprint at an Ayrshire murder scene in 1997 and was granted £750,000 in compensation. Ms McKie was cleared of perjury after being accused of leaving a fingerprint at an Ayrshire murder scene in 1997 and received £750,000 in compensation.
Former Northern Ireland Judge Sir Anthony Campbell was appointed to lead the inquiry by the Scottish Government. Former Northern Ireland Judge Sir Anthony Campbell is leading the inquiry, announced by the Scottish Government earlier this year.
He will give an opening statement at the Royal Concert Hall, but a permanent venue for the inquiry has not been set. In his opening statement he said he wanted a "full and fair" hearing.
Ms McKie, from Troon, Ayrshire, challenged the findings of fingerprint experts working for the Scottish Criminal Record Office following accusations she left her fingerprint at the Kilmarnock home of murder victim Marion Ross.Ms McKie, from Troon, Ayrshire, challenged the findings of fingerprint experts working for the Scottish Criminal Record Office following accusations she left her fingerprint at the Kilmarnock home of murder victim Marion Ross.
She received a £750,000 out-of-court settlement from the then Scottish Executive and a parliamentary inquiry was launched to see what lessons could be learned.She received a £750,000 out-of-court settlement from the then Scottish Executive and a parliamentary inquiry was launched to see what lessons could be learned.
The Justice 1 Committee highlighted a series of failures in the management of the Scottish Fingerprint Service.The Justice 1 Committee highlighted a series of failures in the management of the Scottish Fingerprint Service.
Ms McKie and her father, Ian McKie, had long campaigned for a public inquiry into the case, and the SNP committed to an inquiry in its election manifesto. At the initial hearing at Glasgow Concert Hall on Monday, Lord Justice Campbell said the inquiry would be inquisitorial and not an adversarial contest.
But at a press conference to mark the launch of the inquiry in March, Mr McKie said his daughter had "had enough of it" and did not want it to go ahead. I just want the truth to be out. I just want to leave this matter behind me after nearly 12 years Iain McKee
Mr McKie said he regarded Sir Anthony Campbell's inquiry as an end point. He said: "I can appreciate that for many of those who have been involved in these matters it will be very stressful to have to return to them yet again.
'Step forward' "It is my aim that the inquiry should be thorough and that when it ends all those who have been involved in it should feel that they have been given a full and fair hearing."
Announcing the appointment of Sir Anthony Campbell, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the inquiry marked a significant step forward. He announced the core participants of the inquiry.
The former judge is expected to report on how future "shortcomings" could be avoided. They include Ms McKie and her father Iain McKie, the Lord Advocate Eilish Angiolini, the chief constable of Strathclyde Police, Stephen House, and David Asbury, who was accused of the murder.
The inquiry has already begun the process of collecting evidence and identifying potential witnesses. Others include fingerprint specialists Peter Swann and Alister Geddes.
The Scottish Government will hand over any material it holds which might be useful to the inquiry, and in an "exceptional" move the Lord Advocate, Elish Angiolini, will do likewise. Core participants have a wider role in the inquiry, and are normally given advance access to the evidence that will be given at a particular day's hearing.
And if requested, ministers, prosecution and government officials would appear in person. The McKies and Mr Asbury will be represented by the same lawyer.
A procedural hearing is scheduled to take place at the Royal Concert Hall on Friday 21 November. The inquiry will look at the steps taken to identify and verify the fingerprints associated with and leading up to the court case against Ms McKie in 1999.
The inquiry will not be Sir Anthony Campbell's first encounter with the Scottish Justice system. 'Consciences clear'
In 2000 he was appointed by the Lord Advocate to hold an inquiry into the decision-making process in the prosecution of three men who had been accused of the murder of Surjit Singh Chhokar, and he gave evidence to Holyrood's Justice 2 Committee in 2002. It will make recommendations as to what measures may be introduced to ensure that any shortcomings are avoided in the future.
Lord Justice Campbell said there would be two areas to the inquiry - fact-finding and making recommendations.
Iain McKie welcomed the inquiry and said he hoped it would put an end to the matter.
He said: "I think Sir Anthony's team are determined that they will root out the truth of the whole matter and that pleases me greatly.
"What's important is that he finds out the truth. I just want the truth to be out. I just want to leave this matter behind me after nearly 12 years."
He added: "I will accept the findings of this inquiry. I will leave this, and my daughter will leave this, with our consciences clear and ready to get on with the rest of our lives."
He said he would like everyone taking part in the inquiry to be put on oath.
Ms McKee was not present at Monday's session in Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall.
A procedural hearing will take place on 21 November.
Lord Campbell said the oral hearings were not likely to start before February 2009. A venue has still to be announced.