John Swinney pledges 'personal leadership' to tackle domestic abuse following death of Edinburgh mum Vikki Soloman
Following a number of fatal incidents in recent weeks, John Swinney met with domestic abuse survivor Danielle MacDonald at Bute House
First Minister John Swinney has pledged that he will give his “strongest personal leadership” to tackling male violence against women after recent deaths including that of Edinburgh mum Vikki Soloman.
Ms Soloman, 44, was killed at her home in Craigievar Square in the East Craigs area of the city on Monday, July 20.
Her ex-partner, Lee Greenan, was arrested and charged in connection with her murder but was later found dead in his cell at HMP Edinburgh on Sunday, July 26. Police Scotland said his death did not appear to be suspicious.
Ms Soloman’s family said at the time that Greenan’s death had been “another bitter blow”, adding that they remain “determined to pursue justice for Vikki” in the wake of the accused murderer’s death.
Police watchdog Police Investigations & Review Commissioner (PIRC) has now confirmed it is investigating Police Scotland’s actions in the run up to her death after it was revealed that she had contacted the force.
Ms Soloman’s murder came days before 35-year-old Stacy Mair was found dead at her home in Renfrewshire on Monday, July 28.
Her husband Jim Mair, who had appeared in court earlier this month charged with assaulting her, was found dead alongside her at the home in Houston. Police are treating her death as murder, while her husband’s death is being treated as “unexplained”.
John Swinney addressed the cases after meeting with Edinburgh mum and domestic abuse survivor Danielle MacDonald at Bute House.
Ms MacDonald waived her anonymity as her estranged husband David MacDonald was jailed for 12 years earlier this month following a 15-year campaign of violence against her, including rape and attempted murder.
Following his conviction, she has campaigned for better support for women from police and social services after saying she felt “tossed to the side” by authorities.
Mr Swinney said of their meeting at Bute House: “Danielle was remarkable.
“She came to tell me, directly and in her own words, how the systems that were supposed to protect her failed to do so, and what must change so other women are not failed in the same way.”
Mr Swinney continued: “The meeting took place in a week when the scale of violence against women has been laid bare.
“These cases are different in their circumstances, but they sit within the same grim pattern.
“New figures show domestic homicide in Scotland has doubled in the space of a year, from six deaths to 12.”
He added: “As a male First Minister, I intend to give the strongest personal leadership to tackling male violence against women.
“This is not a women’s issue to be solved by women.
“It is a men’s issue, and it demands that men take responsibility for changing the culture and the behaviours that allow this violence to persist and, far too often, to escalate to fatal violence.”