The Scottish Parliament is to review the amount of information given to victims of crime following a campaign 500 miles away – by the Exeter Express & Echo.

It comes after the newspaper took up the plight of city pensioner Molly Godley whose son Ian (37) was killed in February, 1998, when arsonists set fire to his first floor council flat near Kilmarnock, Scotland.

Two boys, aged 11 and 14, were charged with murder shortly afterwards.

However, they never stood trial after Scottish law chiefs ruled there was “insufficient evidence” – a claim disputed by Strathclyde Police who have since refused to fully reopen their investigation.

Mrs Godley, a disabled former nurse, has still not received an official explanation about the decision.

She has twice travelled to Scotland to meet police, law officials and members of the Scottish Parliament to press for answers.

Now, in a major breakthrough, Scotland’s Crown Office has agreed to review the level of information given to victims in light of newspaper coverage that the Godley case, and other cases, have received.

It has hired consultants to see what lessons can be learnt from the current policy – and how to implement any changes.

And, in a further boost, Shadow Home Secretary Ann Widdecombe has personally intervened and taken up the case with Prime Minster Tony Blair.

She wants Mr Blair to fulfil a promise in Labour’s manifesto before the 1997 General Election which pledged to keep victims better informed and explain why cases have been dropped – or charges downgraded.

The Echo’s Justice for Ian campaign has also been backed by Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw and retired High Court judge Sir William Macpherson, who investigated the Stephen Lawrence murder.

The Echo also obtained support from Imran Khan, the solicitor who is representing Stephen’s parents Neville and Doreen, as well as Tory leader William Hague and ex Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown.

And the newspaper arranged for Mrs Godley to meet inspirational Derby grandmother Flo Siddons, who won an 18-year legal battle to bring her granddaughter’s killer to justice.

Echo editor Steve Hall said the authorities’ stance meant Mrs Godley cannot have “any peace of mind” about her son’s tragic death until her many questions have been answered in full.

“We hope the review announced by Scotland’s Crown Office will mean that other victims will not suffer in a similar way,” he added.

“And we will continue our part in the quest for the answers the Godleys have so far been denied.”

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