Скачать или смотреть 'Tragic' Margaret Fleming murder case to be probed by independent inquiry

An independent inquiry set up to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Margaret Fleming is to meet for the first time next month.

The vulnerable woman vanished in December 1999 but it did not become apparent she was missing until October 2016.

Edward Cairney, 77, and Avril Jones, 59, her supposed carers, were arrested a year later and in July 2019 were convicted of her murder.

Jurors found the couple murdered Ms Fleming by unknown means between December 18 1999 and January 5 2000 at their home in Inverkip, Inverclyde - or elsewhere in Scotland - and then tried to cover up the crime for almost 18 years.

Cairney and Jones were each sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 14 years.

Avril Jones and Eddie Cairney were jailed for Margaret's murder

The Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership confirmed on Thursday Professor Jean MacLellan has been appointed to head up a significant case review.

Prof MacLellan, a social worker by background, is the current director of Autism Network Scotland and has worked in a variety of local authority roles.

A spokesman said: "We have always been very clear that there will be a full independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Margaret Fleming's tragic death.

"However, the legal process had to run its course first.

"We were advised by the procurator fiscal that the inquiry couldn't start until the trial of Edward Cairney and Avril Jones, and any subsequent appeals, were complete.

"We have now appointed Professor Jean MacLellan OBE to head up the significant case review (SCR).

"The inquiry's first planning meeting is scheduled for February."

Margaret Fleming

He added: "This will be a full, independent inquiry which will involve all the agenci