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John Swinney offers to meet family of murdered Nairn banker

Alistair Wilson’s loved ones have been heavily critical of how police have handled the unsolved 20-year old case.

Murdered Nairn banker Alistair Wilson with his family. Image: Family handout
Murdered Nairn banker Alistair Wilson with his family. Image: Family handout

John Swinney is offering to meet the family of murdered Nairn banker Alistair Wilson who was gunned down on his own doorstep in 2004.

The first minister claimed there are limits to how he can help, but is prepared to listen to Mr Wilson’s loved ones’ concerns about the unsolved case.

Not a single arrest has ever been made since the deadly shooting by a lone gunman on November 28, two decades ago.

Mr Wilson’s family has heavily criticised Police Scotland’s handling of the case.

First Minister John Swinney. Image: PA

Earlier this week, his son Andrew, 24, said he felt “betrayed” by the force and warned detectives are “kicking the can down the road”.

He added: “I have zero faith in Police Scotland. How can we trust anyone if we can’t even trust the police?”

A top officer had previously stopped the planned arrest of a potential suspect in May last year before misleading the family about developments during a face-to-face meeting.

Mr Wilson’s close relatives have been particularly angered by Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell’s refusal to meet them.

Alistair Wilson with his eldest son Andrew as an infant, left, and Andrew pictured in 2020 grown up. Images: Family handout/Jane Barlow/PA

Highlands and Islands Tory MSP Douglas Ross raised the case at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday.

For a second time, Mr Swinney declined to directly criticise investigating officers, saying: “This is a live police investigation, and these are operations matters for the chief constable.”

But he added: “I would be prepared to meet with Mrs Wilson and her family to hear of their anguish.

“There will be a limit to what I can do.

“If it provides any assistance and support to the family that the first minister is prepared to listen to their concerns, then I’m prepared to do that.”

Family have ‘lost confidence’ in ‘incompetent’ Police Scotland

In September, Scotland’s most senior prosecutor, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC instructed police to launch a “complete reinvestigation” of the killing.

However, the process could take several years since only just over a dozen detectives will have to reexamine 10,000 documents – including 6,000 statements – and 14,000 previous police actions.

In a previous interview with The Press and Journal, Mr Wilson’s widow Veronica, 53, said she and her family have “lost confidence” in Alistair’s murder ever being solved.”

Then, a family branded Police Scotland’s handling of the unsolved case as “incompetent”.

Chief Superintendent Suzanne Chow, the strategic senior investigating officer, said: “The chief constable has been very clear that we are determined to bring those involved in Alistair Wilson’s murder to justice and has underlined our support for his family.

“This is a live criminal investigation and the relationship and trust with Alistair’s family must be built through the officers involved in the reinvestigation.

“This is an absolute priority for myself and the team. We have met Mrs Wilson and members of the wider family and will keep them updated on the reinvestigation.”