Murdered banker's family criticise 'callous and insulting' chief constable

Alistair Wilson was shot on his doorstep in Nairn in 2004

The family of murdered banker Alistair Wilson have accused Police Scotland's chief constable of being "callous" for refusing to speak to them.

Father-of-two Mr Wilson was fatally wounded when he was shot at his home in Nairn in November 2004 in what became known as the "doorstep murder". His killer has never been caught.

Scotland's top law officer has ordered a new investigation into the case - and Chief Constable Jo Farrell this week announced a team had been put in place, while saying the force remained “absolutely committed” to solving the murder.

But Mr Wilson's family say they have been "kept in the dark" by police after criticising how the investigation into his death had been handled.

They say no-one from the force has spoken to them since the chief constable's statement and it was "insulting" of her to tell the media she had no plans to do so.

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."

Jo Farrell has said Police Scotland is absolutely committed to getting justice for the Wilson family

On Monday, the chief constable told BBC Scotland News it was important that the new senior investigating officer and family liaison team "build a productive relationship" with the Wilson family.

"That’s the important relationship at this stage in order to bring about confidence and justice," Jo Farrell said.

“We have always been committed to this investigation but the family’s views in relation to us are not positive.

"We’re trying through the new senior investigating officer and family liaison officers to build these bridges and provide confidence to the family that we can get justice for them."

Mr Wilson's wife Veronica has been critical of the chief constable and the overall investigation

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

She said: “Jo Farrell was further contradicted when the Family Liaison Officer told us that, although a new SIO had been identified, they were actually abroad on holiday the day after the chief constable said 'a new SIO and team' were 'working now'.

"Astonishingly, we were also informed that nobody will be back at work until next week."

Mr and Wilson's oldest son Andrew, 24, who was just four when his father was killed, 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."

Mr Wilson's oldest son Andrew, who was four when his father was killed, has questioned why his family have been "kept in the dark"

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

She told BBC Scotland News: "I am committed to finding the killer of Alistair Wilson and I know that his family have suffered over nearly 20 years.

"I can only imagine the suffering the family have endured."

She said an extensive investigation was being done.

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 they had met the family to discuss the matters raised by them.

Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross raised the matter at First Minister's Questions in Holyrood.

Ross asked if First Minister John Swinney agreed with the Wilson family's criticism of the chief constable, and if he had spoken with the family about their concerns.

Swinney said it was an "incredibly sensitive case" and a live investigation.

He expressed his sympathy to the Wilson family.

Swinney said: "The police operate with absolute operational independence from the government.

"It would be inappropriate of me to indicate any opinion on the stance taken by the chief constable. It is a matter for the chief constable to address."

Swinney said he had not spoken to the family.