John Swinney pressed on unsolved Nairn murder after top cop branded ‘callous’ by victim’s family
John Swinney has been pressed on the unsolved murder of a Scots banker after Police Scotland's chief constable was branded "callous" by the victim's family.
The First Minister said during FMQs that he was "sympathetic" with the family of Alistair Wilson. He added and that he "shares their frustration".
But he would not criticise chief constable Jo Farrell and said he or Justice Secretary Angela Constance had not met the family.
Wilson was shot in Nairn in November 2004 and his killer has never been found. Scotland's top law officer has ordered a new investigation into the case.
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.
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Relatives of the 30-year-old father of two previously branded police "incompetent" and now the family say they have been "kept in the dark" by cops after criticising how the probe had been handled.
The family claim 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.
Swinney was pressed on the issue by Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross during First Minister's Questions in Holyrood on Thursday afternoon. Ross said: "November will mark 20 years since Alistair Wilson was murdered on the doorstep of his home in Nairn.
"For two decades the killer has never been caught. Alistair's family have spoken with the Press and Journal, and have raised serious concerns about Police Scotland and chief constable Jo Farrell."
He continued: "Alistair Wilson's family describe the conduct of the chief constable as 'insulting' and 'callous'. So does the First Minister agree with the family of Alistair Wilson?"
Swinney replied: "This is obviously an incredibly sensitive case and the first thing I want to say is to express my sympathy to the Wilson family at the tragedy they suffered almost 20 years ago and to share their frustration that this case has not been resolved.
He continued: "The point that Mr Ross puts to me about the actions of the chief constable... the police operate with absolute operation 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 and certainly the First Minister should not be indicating to the chief constable what actions she should take in relation to a live investigation."
Ross then said: "Can I ask the First Minister if he or his Justice Secretary have spoken with the family of Alistair Wilson about their significant concerns and if so, what is being done to address these?"
Swinney replied: "I don't want in any way to create any sense that I am not sympathetic and empathetic to the situation in which the Wilson family find themselves. Alistair Wilson was murdered on his own doorstep. The killers have not been brought to justice. That deeply concerns me."
He continued: "Neither I or the Justice Secretary have spoken to the Wilson family about their concerns." He added that he had to "avoid" commenting on a live investigation "for the sake of protecting the constitutional separation of responsibility."
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