COPS have issued a fresh appeal for information on the 20th anniversary of banker Alistair Wilson’s doorstep murder.
PoliceScotland have set up an online portal to try to catch the gunman who blasted the 30-year-old on his doorstep in Nairn, Inverness-shire.
Multiple appeals for information, an arrest axed at the last minute and misconduct by the head of major crime, Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Livingstone, have all contributed to the death remaining unsolved.
The Lord Advocate ordered police to reopen the probe with a new team of detectives in September and today Detective Chief Superintendent Suzanne Chow unveiled Operation Sabine to catch the killer.
A team of 14 officers are now working on the inquiry with more officers being drafted on to the inquiry in the coming weeks.
But Scots criminologist Professor David Wilson told the Scottish Sun at the weekend: “It’s not about an appeal and it’s not about re-interviewing the usual suspects.”
Dad-of-two Mr Wilson died after being shot three times on the doorstep of his home in the town’s Crescent Road on 28 November, 2004.
The assassin handed a small blue envelope with the name ‘Paul’ written on it to Mr Wilson’s wife, Veronica, and asked her to pass it to her husband before the assassination.
Detectives will examine all evidence gathered over the last 20 years, as well as investigating new opportunities for fresh lines of inquiry, 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.
DCS Chow said: “The team reinvestigating Alistair’s murder are absolutely committed to doing everything they can to get justice for his family.
“We are exploring all new opportunities available to us, including advanced technology around forensics and DNA analysis.
“Alistair’s wife Veronica, their two sons and wider family, have suffered 20 years of pain and their unanswered questions about why he was murdered and who was responsible remain.
“A significant anniversary such as this will prompt further discussion both in the local community and across the country around this investigation and I would urge anyone with information – no matter how small or insignificant they think it might be – to speak to us and help get justice for Alistair’s family.”
Police were set to arrest a suspect in May last year before the operation was aborted at the last moment
DCS Livingstone was found guilty of misconduct after he lied to the family by denying an arrest date had been set.
Widow Veronica hit out last month at the botched probe– and Scotland’s top cop.
WITNESS' NEW CLAIM
A PENSIONER has recalled locking eyes with a “shifty” bus passenger he believes shot banker Alistair Wilson dead on his own doorstep — as cops continue to hope for a breakthrough on the murder riddle’s 20th anniversary.
Tommy Hogg, 75, said he quickly became suspicious of the oddball who had the air of a soldier and appeared to be pretending to sleep in a bid to hide his face from other travellers.
The former community councillor watched as the weirdo got off the coach and headed towards Bank of Scotland worker Alistair’s family home in Nairn, Inverness-shire.
Stunned Tommy went to police the next day after learning the dad had been shot three times at point-blank range when wife Veronica answered the door to a hitman.
Tommy was quizzed several times and helped produce an e-fit but it was never released as detectives — who have never made an arrest or unveiled a suspect or motive — appeared to rule out his theory.
Days from the 20th anniversary of the 2004 mystery in the quiet seaside town, he maintained: “I’m still certain it was the guy.
“I paid attention to him because of the way he was acting. He was just so shifty. It’s stayed with me all these years.
“I’ve never forgotten him or how he looked. He was just pristine, as if he had stepped out of the shower. And he was hiding his face.
“He made out he was sleeping to try to make sure no one got a look at him. It’s an absolute disgrace they’ve never caught him — I really feel for the family.”
She criticised Chief Constable Jo Farrell for refusing to meet with her.
A statement from the family read: “It was insulting for Jo Farrell to tell the media – not us – that she hasn’t ‘got any plans’ to meet us.
“Learning of this impersonal response from her through media reports was a devastating blow dealt by a callous police chief.”
Criminal boffin Professor David Wilson said on Monday: “The murder on the doorstep fits with a pattern of master contract killers – somebody who is not connected to the locality, but commissioned by someone within the locality to commit the hit.
“Therefore there is no local or regional intelligence that can be harnessed by the police.”
