By Cara Dodson

MOVES by the Scottish Executive to scrutinise the report into the management of Colyn Evans have been welcomed by the victim’s father.

Frank Dewar told The Courier yesterday he was pleased to hear about the plans.

Mr Dewar said, “I am glad it’s going ahead as it means something’s going to happen at last. We just can’t have this happening again and if this saves one bairn it’s a victory. People like Evans are out there but nobody knows who they are or where they are. I’m glad everybody seems to be getting behind us over this.”

The Executive’s move was also welcomed by Fife Council and Fife police. The report by the council and police into the way they dealt with Evans was published, together with a set of recommendations, last Friday. On the same day, in Edinburgh High Court, Evans was ordered to serve at least 17 years for Karen’s murder.

Fife Council’s leader, Councillor Anne McGovern said, “Last Friday, when the joint report was published, we expressed our intention to make the full review and its findings available to all relevant agencies. We were quite clear that we would co-operate fully if they wanted to examine the case further and review our conclusions.”

Fife Chief Constable Peter Wilson said, “Some very complex procedural issues have been highlighted for everyone involved in this difficult case. We hope this further review will help provide clarity in the way authorities manage such cases in the future.”

Councillor McGovern added, “The council’s community safety committee will monitor the implementation of the action plan from the joint review.

“It is clear that the Executive’s proposal is an opportunity for the national inspection agencies to look at the content of the report, the conclusions we came to and the action points we are already taking forward…This is an additional level of scrutiny which we welcome and will co-operate fully with.”

Iain Smith, North East Fife’s Liberal Democrat MSP, said, “I hope that they will be able to address the fundamental weaknesses in the system, such as the problems when someone makes the transition from supervised residential care into independent living alone.”

Tayport councillor Maggie Taylor added, “Many questions have to be answered from both the police and social work. This is the first stage of what Mr and Mrs Dewar want and if it helps them and their families in any way to come to terms with the loss of Karen then I welcome it.”