'Significant' work done on doorstep murder cold case

Alistair Wilson, pictured with one of his sons, was murdered in 2004

Police say a "significant amount" of work has been done as part of a complete reinvestigation of the unsolved murder of a Scots banker more than 20 years ago.

Father-of-two Alistair Wilson was shot on the doorstep of his family home in the Highland seaside town of Nairn on 28 November 2004. He later died in hospital.

Scotland's top law officer, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC, ordered the reinvestigation a year ago.

Ch Supt Suzanne Chow, who is leading the work, said: "I understand Alistair's family want answers and we are determined to maintain a relationship with them and do everything we can to bring his killer to justice."

Prosecutors from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) are working with police on the full cold case investigation.

Ch Supt Chow said: "We have a team of 37 officers and staff dedicated to this investigation who have already carried out a significant amount of work.

"I would urge anyone with information that could help detectives to please come forward and speak to us."

Detectives are examining all evidence gathered over the last 20 years.

They are also investigating "new opportunities" for fresh lines of inquiry, such as advances in technology and forensic testing.

About 10,000 documents, including approximately 6,000 statements, will be re-examined, along with almost 14,000 other actions carried out by police since the shooting.

Police Scotland has asked people to contact the force on 101, or via a Major Investigation Public Portal (MIPP).

Calls can also be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The blue envelope mystery

Mr Wilson, 30, and his wife Veronica had been bathing their two young sons and getting ready to read them a bedtime story when the killer came to the door.

A blue envelope, which had the name Paul on it, was handed to Mr Wilson on the doorstep.

He went inside and showed it to his wife, but the envelope had nothing inside.

When Mr Wilson returned to the door he was shot.

In January this year, First Minister John Swinney met Mr Wilson's family.

His wife Veronica and son Andrew said they welcomed the meeting, and thanked Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Douglas Ross for his help in arranging it.

Swinney said his deepest sympathies were with the Wilson family.

The family has been critical of the police handling of the case.

In December 2023, Mr Wilson's family complained to the Police Investigation and Review Commissioner (Pirc) about the force's investigation.

Police Scotland and the Crown Office said at the time they had met the family to discuss the matters raised by them.

Then in September last year, the family said they had "lost confidence" in the national force and labelled it "incompetent".

Mrs Wilson and her son Andrew, who is now 24, told the Press and Journal newspaper that their relationship with police had "steadily deteriorated".

The family said this was due to unresolved issues not being properly addressed.