A murder detective has dismissed concerns Scotland’s top police officer is “callous” for refusing to meet the family of a banker gunned down on his doorstep 20 years ago today.
Dad-of-two Alistair Wilson, 30, was fatally shot in a gangland-style execution at his home in the Scottish Highlands on 28 November 2004, but to this day his death remains unsolved.
Back in September, Scotland’s top law officer, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC, ordered a reinvestigation into the case headed by a new team of police officers and prosecutors.
A team of 14 officers are now working on Operation Sabine, with more expected to be drafted on to the enquiry in the coming weeks.
However, relations between the force and Mr Wilson’s family have deteriorated over the years.
The family, who last year complained about the handling of the case, recently said they had lost confidence in an “incompetent” Police Scotland and its ability to secure justice for Mr Wilson.
Detective Chief Superintendent Suzanne Chow, the strategic senior investigating officer now in charge, admitted she is currently “not in a position” to arrest anyone but is confident her team will carry out a thorough inquiry.
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Speaking to Sky News’ Scotland correspondent Connor Gillies, DCS Chow said, now 20 years on, it is understandably a “really difficult time for the family”.
The detective said this is a complete reinvestigation of the case, not a review which has happened a number of times in the past.
DCS Chow said it “means stripping it back, taking it back to 2004 and looking at what happened at that time as opposed to reviewing various aspects of it”.
“So, we will review all the information that we have, we’ll consolidate that, and we will look at all the evidence that we have, and we will take new opportunities and move forward.
“We are looking for answers for Alistair’s family. We are looking for answers for Veronica, for the children, for Alistair’s parents.”
When asked what the hold-up was in regards to making an arrest in connection with the case, DCS Chow brushed off the past 20 years and said the reinvestigation was in its “early stages”.
She added: “We’re looking at all lines of inquiry, and there is nothing that we have discounted at this time.”
In a previous interview with Sky News, Chief Constable Jo Farrell said Police Scotland remained “absolutely committed” to solving the murder.
CC Farrell was criticised by Mr Wilson’s family and accused of being “callous” for telling the media she would not be meeting with them despite their requests.
DCS Chow defended her boss’ decision, saying CC Farrell instead wants the detective and family liaison officers to rebuild the relationship.
She said: “The chief’s not being callous.”
THE MURDER
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.
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.
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 regard 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 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.
THE REINVESTIGATION AND LACK OF ARRESTS
DCS Chow noted that the suspects spotted will be 20 years older.
She urged all those with information – especially anyone who was too “afraid” to come forward at the time – to share what they know with the investigating team.
She said: “The answer will be out there. I am confident that there is information out there that people could come forward with.”
Police Scotland said the enquiry team will examine all evidence gathered over the past two decades, as well as investigating new opportunities for fresh lines of enquiry, such as advances in technology and forensic testing.
Around 10,000 documents, including approximately 6,000 statements will be re-examined, along with nearly 14,000 actions carried out by police since the shooting.
Mr Wilson’s family lodged an official complaint after being told a suspect would be arrested on 15 May last year.
The breakthrough failed to materialise, with a top detective later denying a date had been identified for the arrest.
It is understood the senior officer has since been found guilty of misconduct.
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When questioned over the potential suspect, DCS Chow said: “We are starting at the very beginning again and we will review all the information and the evidence that we have in our systems and we’ll look at new opportunities.”
When pressed again on why a complete reinvestigation was needed if a potential suspect was identified, DCS Chow said: “Well, there are a number of lines of inquiry which are still open, and until we are content that there is sufficient evidence, we will continue to investigate.”
When asked if she knows who indeed killed Mr Wilson, DCS Chow replied: “We’re still looking at all lines of inquiry. There are 20 years of evidence for me to look through. As I’ve said, this is the very, very early stages for us.”
When asked to be clearer, she added: “Until we are content that we have fully reviewed the information, I’m not in a position that we could arrest anyone.”
FAMILY DISCONTENT
DCS Chow said both she and DCI Ally Semple, the new senior investigating officer (SIO), have met Mr Wilson’s family in an attempt to rebuild their trust and confidence.
She said the family has “expressed their discontent” and admitted she has privately apologised for the way the case has been handled.
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DCS Chow accepted Mr Wilson’s family does not have the “answers that they’re looking for”.
She said she understood their anger as she once again appealed for all those with information to come forward.
DCS Chow added: “It’s the 20th anniversary, it’s really poignant for the family.
“And if we could give them some answers, if the public could come forward with information, I’d be very grateful to them.”
