Alistair Wilson: Family of murdered banker criticise 'callous' Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell
The 2004 murder of Alistair Wilson, 30, in the Scottish Highlands, remains unsolved and Scotland's top law officer, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC, has ordered a new investigation into the case.
Thursday 26 September 2024 13:21, UK
The family of a murdered banker who was fatally shot on his doorstep nearly 20 years ago have accused Police Scotland's chief constable of being "callous" for refusing to speak to them.
Dad-of-two Alistair Wilson, 30, was shot in the Scottish Highlands in November 2004. To this day, his killer has never been caught.
Scotland's top law officer, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC, has ordered a new investigation into the case.
Earlier this week, Chief Constable Jo Farrell said the force remains "absolutely committed" to solving the Nairn murder and revealed a new senior investigating officer had been appointed.
However, Mr Wilson's family claim they are "still being kept in the dark" after previously complaining about the handling of the case.
In response, Police Scotland said Detective Chief Superintendent Suzanne Chow, the strategic senior investigating officer, had got in contact last week via family liaison officers.
A senior investigating officer (SIO) has been appointed and the wider team, which will take forward the reinvestigation, is currently being identified, the force said.
A spokesperson added: "The family have been kept updated on this work."
Mr Wilson's family claim no one from Police Scotland has reached out since CC Farrell's media interviews.
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In a statement, they said: "We had previously extended the courtesy of informing officers of our plan to speak out against the incompetence of senior figures, which is having a detrimental effect on the progress of this 20-year-long unsolved case.
"We also criticised Chief Constable Jo Farrell's outright refusal to meet with our family to discuss ongoing issues that remain unresolved.
"It was insulting for Jo Farrell to tell the media - not us - that she hasn't 'got any plans' to meet us.
"Learning of this impersonal response from her through media reports was a devastating blow dealt by a callous police chief."
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Speaking to Sky News on Monday, CC Farrell said the new officer put in charge of the case would aim to rebuild a relationship with the family.
However, Mr Wilson's family said they are still unaware of who the SIO is and are yet to be introduced to new family liaison officers.
Mr Wilson's oldest son Andrew, 24, who was just four when his father was murdered, added: "It remains a mystery to us, and we question why our family is still being kept in the dark while Jo Farrell is basking in the media spotlight as she talks of building bridges and providing confidence to our family."