Hope of progress in cold case as First Minister meets with Wilson family

North MSP Douglas Ross believes a meeting between the First Minister and the family of Alistair Wilson is a "positive step in the right direction"

Mr Ross welcomes news that John Swinney took the time to meet with them at the Scottish Parliament, having raised the long-standing cold case with the First Minister recently.

It has now been 20 years since Mr Wilson's murder in Nairn with his widow Veronica and son Andrew still eager for answers about what happened, while also critical of elements of the police investigation.

There has been a continued refusal of Police Scotland’s Chief Constable Jo Farrell to meet with them.

Ms Farrell has said it's not appropriate to meet with the family and instead looks for the new lead detective Suzie Chow to build a relationship with those affected by the events of November 28th 2004.

They also welcomed his commitment to look into further elements of the case and the First Minister will respond to them in due course.

Mr Ross has said that this amounts to a “total dereliction of duty” and he has said that she has no option but to finally relent and meet with them as soon as possible.

Veronica Wilson said: “I was extremely grateful to John Swinney for meeting with myself and Andrew and engaging with us over the ongoing investigation.

“It is welcome that he agreed to look into issues that we brought to his attention and come back to use in due course.

“That is in sharp contrast to the Chief Constable who continues to refuse to meet with myself and our family. We find that deeply insulting and hope that she will urgently reconsider.

“We will not stop demanding answers and it was pleasing to have the opportunity to raise them with the First Minister.”

Andrew Wilson said: “I was pleased to have opportunity to join my Mum and meet with John Swinney to highlight issues surrounding the investigation into my father’s murder.

“I have had to grow up knowing that this case is unsolved and all too often we have found ourselves frustrated at trying to get answers from the police.

“I share my mother’s anger at Jo Farrell continuing to stonewall us over meeting her, when we just want to hear directly from her"