SNP ministers must answer why rapist cop was promoted after a 2009 arrest and then preyed on women for 17 more years

Campbell Petrie, 50, was jailed for 12 years at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday after being convicted of nine charges of physical and sexual abuse — including rape — against two women over 17 years while serving as a Police Scotland officer. His first arrest came in 2009, when one victim reported threatening behaviour; charges were later dropped and he received a promotion to sergeant, leaving him free to continue offending until 2023. Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr is demanding that First Minister John Swinney and Cabinet Secretary Neil Gray answer for their government's handling of vetting, resources and accountability within Police Scotland.

Petrie is one of FOUR serving or former Police Scotland officers exposed as rapists within five months, alongside Alan Greer, Cameron Ross and John Williamson.

Police Scotland's own Chief Constable warned ministers on August 20 that re-vetting the workforce needed 'sustained investment', yet approximately 6,000 officers and 2,000 civilian staff have yet to be re-vetted.

The judge told Petrie his denial of responsibility was 'somewhat disappointing' — one victim was a colleague who was asleep when he raped her.