WATCH: Crown Office defends withholding Wick Harbour death report

The Crown Office says releasing a less censored report into the Wick Harbour death of Kevin Mcleod could 'influence the course' of investigations and 'recollection of witnesses.'

That's in a letter from the Lord Advocate seen exclusively by MFR News in which he tells Kevin's grieving family the Cameron Report is 'important' to ongoing inquiries into the unexplained drowning.

James Woolfe QC wrote: 'In any investigation, the procurator fiscal requires to consider the release of information, and whether that would be appropriate.

'This is for many reasons, including to ensure that the premature release of information cannot be said to have influenced the course of the investigation, and in particular the recollection of witnesses.

'The contents of the Cameron Report are important to the current investigation and review, and at this time it would not be appropriate for them to be released.

'I can assure you that this is because of the need to carry out a thorough and careful review, and to protect the integrity of that review, and not for any other reason.'

A prosecutor from the Crown Office Criminal Allegations Against the Police Division is examining why Northern Constabulary ignored an instruction to launch a potential murder probe in 1997, and Major Crime detectives from Police Scotland's Specialist Crime Division are also currently assessing fresh claims about the tragedy 21-years-ago from a new witness.

The COPFS review was ordered after an apology over legacy force failings was given to the Mcleods by the current boss of the national force, Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone.

THE TURNING POINT IN CAMPAIGN FOR JUSTICE:

Retired Strathclyde detective told MFR News: "That was a very brave thing to do, to make an apology at that stage in the game, when all the people behind him had said there's not been too much wrong."

"You need to have been in the police service to really understand the honesty of what Mr Livingstone did, because he had to admit that the police got it wrong.

"His apology wasn't half-hearted.

"There's no doubt in my mind that the reason for the Crown Office deciding to review the case is because of Mr Livingstone's courage in saying, enough is enough, let's draw a line in the sand."

Seven pages missing from the Mcleod family's heavily redacted copy of the Cameron Report list potential misconduct by individual police officers.

It was written in 2002 by the chief constable of Central Scotland Police as an independent look into the mishandling of the 24-year-old's death.

Kevin's parents had to fight the system for five years before getting a blacked-out copy, but only after the intervention of the Information Commissioner.

Iain McKie added: "How can something go on for so many years, with such obvious mistakes, revealed time and time again through the Cameron Report?

"Mr Cameron did a great deal with his report, but you can still see the tendancy to draw back, and it's very natural.

"You just don't want to come out and totally condemn another chief constable.

"It's a seminal moment that the Lord Advocate should step in and say this inquiry is required, and it happens in very few cases.

"It's a recognition that something is not right here.

"The new Lord Advocate is bringing a new culture into the organisation.

"He comes with a big reputation for being an honest and straightforward lawyer.

QUESTIONS OVER INCONSISTENCIES & INACTION:

• #KevinMcLeod
• Kevin McLeod