Police Scotland told to produce re-vetting timeline after four rapist officers are exposed in five months

Scottish Conservative MP Stephen Kerr is demanding that John Swinney and Neil Gray account for their government's failures on police vetting after Campbell Petrie, 50, was handed a 12-year sentence at the High Court in Glasgow. Petrie faced arrest as far back as 2009, but charges were dropped and he went on to receive a promotion, allowing him to continue offending for more than a decade. He is one of four serving or former Police Scotland officers unmasked as rapists within a five-month period.

Around 8,000 officers and civilian staff are still awaiting re-vetting, with the Chief Constable warning in August that it requires 'sustained investment and resources.'

Petrie raped one victim — a fellow officer — as she slept; Judge Alistair Watson described the harm caused as 'deep and enduring' and called his refusal to admit guilt 'disappointing.'

Forty-five serving Police Scotland officers are currently suspended over allegations of abuse targeting women and girls, a scandal that sits alongside the convictions of Alan Greer, Cameron Ross and John Williamson.