SCOTLAND'S former most senior legal advisor is to lead the inquiry into the issues surrounding the murder of Sarah Everard. 

Dame Elish Angiolini, who was the Lord Advocate until 2011, has been appointed by Priti Patel to lead the two-part investigation, which seeks to address the issues raised following the abduction, rape and murder of Ms Everard by a serving Metropolitan Police officer. 

Ms Everard's family were consulted before the appointment, and are to be kept updated on the inquiry's progress throughout. 

Dame Elish previously led inquiries into other issues reating to police and criminal justice, including an inquiry into the Mortonhall baby ashes scandal in 2013. 

Priti Patel said she will now be working with the legal chief to establish the terms of reference for the inquiry. 

The Home Secretary said: "Sarah Everard’s abduction, rape and murder was an unimaginable tragedy – we owe it to her and her loved ones to quickly understand what went wrong and prevent something like this ever happening again.

"The Angiolini Inquiry will shine a light on the failings that allowed a serving police officer to abuse his power in such a horrific manner and make recommendations for change within policing.

"Dame Elish will bring a wealth of legal and criminal justice expertise to this role and I am delighted she has agreed to chair the Inquiry."

Dame Elish said: "I am deeply honoured to have been asked to chair this vital inquiry, which comes at a pivotal moment for policing.

"The murder of Sarah Everard was profoundly shocking and I will ensure that the issues raised from this dreadful tragedy are fully investigated and the necessary lessons learned."

The inquiry was announced last month following the conviction of murderer Wayne Couzens, who pleaded guilty to killing 33-year-old Ms Everard in March this year. 

It will be a non-statutory inquiry, which the Home Office said would allow it be done as quickly and flexibly as possible. The option to convert it into a statutory inquiry remains open, however.