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Seòmar agus comataidhean

Remember My Name, Report into the Life of Margaret Fleming

  • Submitted by: Fulton MacGregor, Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party.
  • Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 May 2024
  • Motion reference: S6M-13001

That the Parliament notes the case of Margaret Fleming; acknowledges that Margaret was a woman with a learning disability who went missing for over 18 years; notes that Margaret’s so-called carers were subsequently found guilty of murder and that her body has never been found; understands that, during the 18 years that Margaret was unaccounted for, no one from social services had been in contact with her directly; notes that, in October 2023, the report on Margaret's significant case review, titled Remember My Name, was published; understands that this title was chosen due to a discussion with an adult protection officer in Inverclyde who described training that takes place locally to ensure that professional staff are able to fulfil their duties effectively by remembering children, young adults and adults who have been killed; agrees with the report’s sentiments that to describe Eddie Cairney and Avril Jones as Margaret’s carers severely undermines the commitment and dedication of Scotland’s actual carers; understands that the detailed report listed a number of recommendations to prevent a case such as Margaret’s from happening again; further understands that some of the recommendations included reviewing policies, procedures and protocols for those at risk of being invisible to services, ensuring that a robust system is in place around decision-making for thresholds being met for investigating referrals under relevant child or adult protection procedures, ensuring that Social Security Scotland staff understand policies in respect of people with learning disabilities, and improving the sharing of information about children, young people and adults across health and education services; appreciates the work of Charlie McMillan from the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities, who presented the key findings of the review to the Cross Party Group on Social Work; commends the Adult Protection Committee and Child Protection Committee of Inverclyde Council, which commissioned the report, and Professor Jean MacLellan OBE, who led the review, and praises what it sees as the diligent work that was carried out to publish the report, Remember My Name, which it considers aims to paint a picture of Margaret as an individual and a unique human being who lived a life, and not as someone who is remembered principally as a murder victim.


Supported by: Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Colin Beattie, Maggie Chapman, Foysol Choudhury, Katy Clark, Jackie Dunbar, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Annabelle Ewing, Kenneth Gibson, Ross Greer, Bill Kidd, Monica Lennon, Stuart McMillan, Marie McNair, Audrey Nicoll, Lorna Slater, Kevin Stewart, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance