Police Scotland’s chief constable has said the force remains “absolutely committed” to solving the murder of a banker who was fatally shot on his doorstep nearly two decades ago.
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, last week announced a new team of police officers and prosecutors would work on a full reinvestigation.
It comes after criticism from Mr Wilson’s family, who have previously complained about the handling of the case.
In a statement given to The Press and Journal newspaper, the family said their relationship with the force had “steadily deteriorated” over the past 18 months due to “unresolved and ongoing issues that are not being properly addressed”.
The family added: “The poor judgement and lack of accountability at the highest levels of Police Scotland has regrettably eroded any trust we have in their ability to secure justice for Alistair.”
Pic: Police Scotland
Pic: Police Scotland
In response, Chief Constable Jo Farrell told Sky News a new senior investigating officer (SIO) put in charge of the case would aim to rebuild a relationship with the family.
Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell. Pic :PA
CC Farrell said: “We’re absolutely committed to get an outcome for the family and to get justice for the family.
“There has been an extensive investigation over a number of years.
“We have appointed a new SIO. And I think what’s important at this time is that senior investigating officer, and the family liaison officers who support the family, work together in order to rebuild relationships with the family and we strive to get justice for the family.
“And that is the priority currently.”
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Pic: Police Scotland
Mr Wilson was shot at his home in Crescent Road, Nairn, on 28 November 2004. He died later in hospital.
He had been reading bedtime stories to his two young sons after their evening bath when a man knocked on their front door.
When Mr Wilson’s wife Veronica answered, the killer asked for his victim by name.
Pic: Police Scotland
A blue envelope, which had the name Paul on it, was handed to Mr Wilson on the doorstep.
Mr Wilson went inside briefly, but when he returned to the door he was shot.
To date, no one has ever been charged with Mr Wilson’s murder.
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In 2022, Police Scotland said a dispute over decking at the Havelock Hotel – across the road from the Wilsons’ home – was “significant” to the investigation.
Mr Wilson had objected to a retrospective planning application for a large decking area within the car park of the hotel, arguing it was responsible for increased noise and litter in the area.
He filed the objection to the local authority on 25 November 2004, three days before he was killed.
Investigators said the objection was discussed in the hotel bar from Friday 26 November, and over the weekend up until his murder.
A key witness in Canada was interviewed by detectives in regards to the planning application.
Following police appeals, a witness reported seeing two men, one in their 20s and another between 40 and 60 years old, on Nairn’s East Beach in the weeks before the murder.
The witness said the younger man was in possession of a handgun.
The murder weapon. Pic: Police Scotland
The handgun used in the murder, which was found days later, was a Haenel Suhl pocket pistol from the 1930s.
Police believe the weapon was brought to the UK after the Second World War as a souvenir, but the ammunition used in the murder was said to be from the 1980s or 90s.
