Police chief misled Alistair Wilson's family over planned arrest in Nairn murder investigation
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A senior detective is understood to be facing disciplinary action after it was found that he misled the widow of murdered Nairn banker Alistair Wilson.
Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Livingstone, Police Scotland’s head of major crime, was the subject of a complaint from the family of Mr Wilson who was shot dead on his doorstep 20 years ago in a case that has yet to be solved.
According to reports in the Scottish Mail on Sunday and The Times, three complaints have been upheld after the family was told last year of a potentially imminent arrest of a suspect who was then never detained for further questioning.
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Media reports state Police Scotland has now apologised to the family following an investigation by the force’s professionalism and assurance department.
Mr Wilson's wife, Veronica, was told by Police Scotland last year that a suspect had been identified and that he would be arrested for questioning on May 15.
But the family was later informed that the arrest had been cancelled on the planned date, pending further inquiries by police and the Crown Office.
Det Ch Supt Livingstone denied that a specific date had been identified for the arrest.
Mr Wilson (30) was gunned down on his doorstep on Sunday, November 28, 2004.
Nobody has ever been charged with the crime though there did seem to be some movement in the investigation last year as news emerged that the father-of-two had made a formal objection to proposals for a new decking area to be created outside the Havelock Hotel in Nairn, yards from his home just days before his murder.
There were also reports of Scottish police working with counterparts in Canada to interview witnesses in Nova Scotia.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We responded to a complaint, however following new information we have provided a further response."
The spokesperson added: “The investigation into the murder of Alistair Wilson remains ongoing and we are committed to conducting a full and thorough enquiry that will hopefully provide much needed answers to Alistair’s family.
“Anyone with information can contact the enquiry team via 101 or email operationsorn@scotland.police.uk."
