Family of murdered banker criticizes “heartless and insulting” police chief

The family of murdered banker Alistair Wilson have accused the Chief Constable of Scottish Police of being “heartless” for refusing to speak to them.

Father-of-two Wilson was fatally injured at his home in Nairn in November 2004. The incident became known as the “doorstep murder”. His killer was never caught.

Scotland's chief justice has ordered a new investigation into the case. Police Commissioner Jo Farrell announced this week that a team had been set up, but said police remained “absolutely determined” to solve the murder.

But Mr Wilson's family said they had been “left in the dark” by police after criticising the way the investigation into his death was being conducted.

They say no one from the police has spoken to them since the chief constable's statement and it was “insulting” of her to tell the media that she had no intention of doing so.

A statement said: “We had previously shown the courtesy of informing officials of our plan to denounce the incompetence of senior figures that is detrimental to the progress of this case that has remained unsolved for 20 years.”

“We have also criticised the complete refusal of Police Commissioner Jo Farrell to meet with our family to discuss ongoing, unresolved issues.

“It was an insult for Jo Farrell to tell the media – not us – that she had 'no plans' to meet us.

“To learn of this impersonal response from her through media reports was a devastating blow from an uncaring police chief.”

On Monday, the police chief told BBC Scotland News it was important that the new lead investigator and the family liaison team “build a productive relationship” with the Wilson family.

“This is the important relationship at this stage to create trust and fairness,” said Jo Farrell.

“We have always advocated for this investigation, but the family’s attitude towards us is not positive.

“We are trying to build those bridges with the help of the new senior investigating officer and family liaison officers and give the family confidence that we can get justice for them.”

However, Wilson's wife Veronica said she had not been told who the new senior officer would be and the previous family liaison team had told her their replacements had not yet been appointed.

She said: 'Jo Farrell was further contradicted when the family liaison officer informed us that although a new SIO had been identified, he was in fact on holiday abroad the day after the Chief Constable said 'a new SIO and new team' were 'in action'.

“Amazingly, we were also told that no one will be back to work until next week.”

Mr and Wilson's eldest son Andrew, 24, who was just four years old when his father was killed, added: “It remains a mystery to us and we wonder why our family continues to be left in the dark while Jo Farrell is in the media spotlight talking about building bridges and giving our family confidence.”

Responding to the Wilson family's statement, Police Commissioner Farrell said a new senior investigating officer had been appointed to build a relationship with the Wilson family and find justice and answers for them.

She told BBC Scotland News: “I am committed to finding Alistair Wilson's killer and I know his family has suffered for nearly 20 years.”

“I can only imagine the suffering the family had to endure.”

She said a full investigation was being carried out.

In December last year Mr Wilson's family complained to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) about the handling of the police investigation.

Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said at the time that they had met with the family to discuss the matters they had raised.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross raised the matter during First Minister's Questions at Holyrood.

Ross asked whether First Minister John Swinney shared the Wilson family's criticism of the police chief and whether he had spoken to the family about their concerns.

Swinney said it was an “incredibly sensitive case” and an ongoing investigation.

He expressed his condolences to the Wilson family.

Swinney said: “The police operate with complete independence from the government.

“It would be inappropriate for me to express an opinion on the position of the police chief. This is a matter for the police chief to resolve.”

Swinney said he had not spoken to the family.