Family of banker murdered 20 years ago criticises ‘incompetent’ police in Scotland | Scotland

The family of a banker shot dead on his doorstep say they have lost faith in Scottish police as his murder remains unsolved nearly 20 years later.

Relatives of Alistair Wilson described the police as “incompetent” and said they had lost confidence in their ability to deliver justice.

The father of two was shot dead in Nairn in the Highlands in November 2004 and his killer was never found.

Earlier this week, Scotland's Chief Justice, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC, announced that she had ordered a full re-investigation into the case.

In a statement first reported by the Press and Journal, the Wilson family statement said they had supported the police investigation in every way for nearly 20 years, but that relations were now “irretrievably damaged.”

They said: “At the request of Police Scotland, we have previously agreed to stay out of the spotlight by declining numerous media invitations for interviews outside of these official appeals.

“However, our relationship with the police has steadily deteriorated over the past 18 months due to unresolved and ongoing issues that are not being adequately addressed.

“As we approach the 20th anniversary of Alistair's unsolved murder, and after desperately trying every other avenue of investigation, we are dismayed and disappointed that we have no choice but to speak out publicly.”

The family said they had made a number of complaints about Police Scotland's handling of the investigation, including the conduct of the head of the Serious Crime Unit, DCS Paul Livingstone.

They added: “The poor judgement and lack of accountability at the highest levels of Police Scotland have unfortunately undermined our confidence in their ability to achieve justice for Alistair.”

Wilson was shot at around 7pm on Sunday 28 November after a man came to the family home on Crescent Road in Nairn, spoke to his wife Veronica, who had opened the door, and asked for her husband by name.

The 30-year-old went downstairs to speak to the man and was given a blue envelope with the word “Paul” on it.

Wilson went inside briefly, then returned to the door a second time and was shot. He died later that evening in the hospital.

The weapon, a Haenel-Suhl pocket pistol from the 1930s, was found ten days later in a drain near the family's home.

Wilson's eldest son, Andrew Wilson, was four years old when his father was murdered.

The 24-year-old said: “I cannot understand why Paul Livingstone was not sacked and if Jo Farrell [the Police Scotland chief constable] will not reconsider our request for a meeting, then this also calls into question their position.

“We have suffered nothing but incompetent police leadership and if this continues, we risk standing in the way of catching my father's killer and getting the justice we deserve as a family.”

Veronica Wilson, 53, added: “It pains me that my sons no longer have a father. But the fact that they and my husband have been denied justice two decades after this tragedy is even more traumatic for the family.”

“We have lost confidence in the Scottish police.”

Police said a new strategic lead investigator had been appointed to oversee the renewed investigation.

Deputy Chief Constable Steve Johnson said: “We have recently received new instructions from the Lord Advocate to re-investigate the murder of Alistair Wilson.

“Officers remain committed and determined to identify Alistair’s killer and obtain justice for his family.

“We are in the process of assembling the investigation team. It will be led by a Detective Chief Superintendent in his role as strategic lead investigator.

“They will thoroughly re-investigate this murder.

“Unsolved murder cases in Scotland are never closed and there is no statute of limitations for passing information to the police.

“We appeal to anyone who may have information that has not yet been shared with the police to come forward and report it.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101.