The widow and son of murdered Nairn man Alistair Wilson say they are “extremely grateful” to First Minister John Swinney after he met with them yesterday.
First Minister John Swinney met the family of Alistair Wilson, who was murdered in Nairn more than 20 years ago.
Themeeting between Veronica and Andrew Wilson and the SNP leader, exclusively revealed by the Courier earlier today, was also welcomed by Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross, who raised the family’s concerns regarding the handling of the case with Mr Swinney last month.
Both Veronica and Andrew thanked John Swinney for engaging with them and listening to their concerns surrounding the ongoing reinvestigation of the 2004 murder case and the continued refusal of Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell to meet with them.
Mr Swinney said he was thankful to Mrs Wilson and her son Andrew for “giving him the opportunity to listen to some of their concerns” and that, although he could not get involved in a live police investigation, he hopes the family “get the justice they deserve.”
Talking after the meeting, Veronica Wilson was happy with how they were received.
“I was extremely grateful to John Swinney for meeting with myself and Andrew and engaging with us over the ongoing investigation,” she said.
Alistair Wilson and his family.
“It is welcome that he agreed to look into issues that we brought to his attention and come back to us 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.
“I would also like to thank Douglas Ross for taking up my father’s case as a local MSP and I know that we will continue to work closely with him in a bid to resolve this once and for all.”
Douglas Ross.
Mr Ross welcomed the fact that John Swinney had taken the time to meet with the family at the Scottish Parliament this week, calling it a “positive step in the right direction”.
He said: “I am grateful to John Swinney for taking the time to meet with the Wilson family after I raised the case with him last year around the 20th anniversary of Alistair’s murder.
“It is a positive step in the right direction that the First Minister met with Veronica and Andrew and listened to them about the unsolved murder of their beloved husband and father.
“They are desperate for answers so I hope that having now met with John Swinney that this will help move the case forward at pace.
“However, what might be a continued stumbling block on any hope for the Wilson family is the continued disgraceful refusal of Police Scotland’s Chief Constable Jo Farrell to meet with them. That is a total dereliction of duty from her and an insult to the family. She didn’t even have the decency to respond personally to my letter asking her again to meet with them.
“I believe that having seen John Swinney meet with Veronica and Andrew, which follows a meeting they had with Scotland’s Lord Advocate, it is surely time for Scotland’s Chief Constable to re-think this decision and meet them as soon as possible.”
Chief Superintendent Suzanne Chow, the strategic senior investigating officer, said: “The Chief Constable has been very clear that we are determined to bring those involved in Alistair’s murder to justice and has underlined our support for his family.
“This is a live criminal investigation and the relationship and trust with Alistair’s family is a priority and must be built through myself, the Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) and the family liaison officers. We have met Mrs Wilson and members of the wider family and will keep them updated on the reinvestigation. They have suffered 20 years of not knowing who killed Alistair or why and I am absolutely determined that we will do everything we can to get them those answers and the justice they deserve.”