The parents of a Scottish woman who was tragically killed by her partner are advocating for new legislation to safeguard women. Recent statistics reveal that nearly half of women who lost their lives in Scotland last year were victims of domestic violence perpetrated by their partner or ex-partner.
Christopher McGowan was sentenced for the murder of Claire after he was released to live with her and her son, despite having a history of 39 prior convictions, including aggravated domestic assault. Claire’s parents are calling for decisive action, with her mother, Fiona, expressing concern about the pervasive nature of violence against women in society.
Fiona emphasized the urgency of preventing offenders from being granted bail to homes where women and children reside. MSP Pam Gosal has introduced a bill that proposes imposing restrictions on individuals convicted of domestic abuse akin to those on the sex offenders’ register.
During a recent First Minister’s Questions session, Tory leader Russell Findlay urged John Swinney to disclose a social work report highlighting how Claire and her son were overlooked by the system. Findlay criticized the lack of mandatory verification of bail addresses by social workers as a significant loophole.
In response, Swinney expressed willingness to release the report if feasible. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service conveyed their condolences to Claire Inglis’ family and assured them of ongoing investigations and potential considerations for a Fatal Accident Inquiry.