The Scottish Government has refused to be drawn on the future of Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House in the wake of this week’s controversy over a couple left in a crashed car for three days.
The revelation that deceased John Yuill and critically injured Lamara Bell were not found until three days after police were first informed of their crashed car is just the latest controversy during Sir Stephen’s tenure.
A government spokeswoman said: “Our thoughts are with the families of the couple concerned at this very difficult time.
“This matter has been referred by the Crown to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) and will be taken forward appropriately.”
Asked if Justice Secretary Michael Matheson still has confidence in Sir Stephen, a spokeswoman said they would not be making any further comment on the case until the PIRC investigation is complete.
However, speaking in his capacity as constituency MSP for Falkirk West, Mr Matheson said: “My thoughts, of course, are with the families at this time.
“The important thing now is to have a thorough investigation into what went wrong after that call came in.
“There’s clearly been a failing at some point in time and that’s why there needs to be a quick and thorough investigation into this incident.
“I’ve spoken to one of the families involved and there’s no doubt that they will have questions into how this happened.”
Sir Stephen has already indicated he will not seek a second term as chief constable of Scotland’s national force next year.
Since Police Scotland was formed two years ago, he has been a controversial figure.
There has been public and political anger over policies such as stop and search and the routine arming of officers.
The force is also at the centre of a major investigation into the death in custody of Fife man Sheku Bayoh.
Earlier this year former Tayside Police deputy chief constable Angela Wilson said the force was moving backwards under his command and that the sooner he resigned the better it would be for Police Scotland.
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said Sir Stephen House would not be available for interview about the incident until the PIRC’s investigation into it has been concluded.
Police Scotland’s east division, which covers the Stirling area, also said they were unable to comment until the PIRC has completed its inquiry.
Investigations into the actual cause of the crash itself will be carried out by Police Scotland.