Delivering the findings of the independent review to the Assembly, Ms Long said: “Today, our thoughts are with Katie and her family. We all know the name Katie Simpson - regrettably because of her senseless, untimely and tragic death.  

“We also know the name Jonathan Creswell - a convicted abuser and the man charged with Katie’s rape and murder and found dead at home on the second day of his criminal trial. 

“We also know many individuals raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding Katie’s death and the investigation that followed.  May I thank all those individuals for their moral integrity, their bravery in coming forward and for their persistence. They fought to give Katie a voice; as a society, we owe them a debt of gratitude.    

“Whilst the report is important, what matters now is the changes it makes to the system to ensure that this is never repeated, and I hope that will be a lasting legacy for Katie and her family.”