Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes notified Holyrood of the appointment yesterday. Lord Colbeck takes up the role from Monday 2 March.

Lord Colbeck was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Courts in May 2023, having previously served as sheriff principal of Glasgow and Strathkelvin from September 2016 and as vice president of the Sheriff Appeal Court from May 2022.

Ms Forbes said:  “I welcome Lord Colbeck to the role. The appointment of a new chair has been taken forward as a priority to enable the public inquiry to complete its work. 

“I am pleased that someone of Lord Colbeck’s experience and in-depth knowledge of the Scottish justice system will take forward this work, and I look forward to the public inquiry coming to its conclusion as quickly as practicable.”