Online portal launched as police reinvestigate murder of Alistair Wilson in Nairn two decades on

Detectives leading the reinvestigation into the murder of Alistair Wilson in Nairn 20 years ago have set up a new online site to allow anyone with information to contact them directly.

The Major Investigation Public Portal (MIPP) allows people to submit files or information anonymously to the team.

A team of 14 officers are now working on Operation Sabine, the reinvestigation of Alistair’s death, with more officers being drafted on to the enquiry in the coming weeks.

The team has been drawn from a range of specialisms across Police Scotland, including complex investigations, homicide and murder enquiries, forensics and intelligence gathering.

Mr Wilson, a dad of two, died after being shot on the doorstep of his home in the town’s Crescent Road on November 28, 2004.

In September, the Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain announced she had ordered a complete reinvestigation of the case with new teams of officers and prosecutors.

Detectives will examine all evidence gathered over the last 20 years, as well as investigating new opportunities for fresh lines of enquiry, 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.

Detective chief superintendent Suzanne 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.

“The thoughts of everyone at Police Scotland are very much with them at this time, and we are keeping them informed of any updates we have as the reinvestigation progresses.

“I am determined that the passage of time is no barrier to justice, and we are absolutely committed to finding out who was responsible and bringing them to justice.

“The new Major Investigation Public Portal is another option for the public to send us information directly and anonymously if they wish.

“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.”

Earlier this year, Alistair’s family said they were still being “kept in the dark” by Police Scotland as they criticised the force’s treatment of them.

The banker’s relatives described Police Scotland’s chief constable Jo Farrell as “callous” saying it was “insulting” that she told the media that she did not have immediate plans to meet with them.

Alistair’s oldest son, Andrew, who was four years old when his father was murdered, said: “It remains a mystery to us, and we question why our family is still being kept in the dark while Jo Farrell is basking in the media spotlight as she talks of building bridges and providing confidence to our family.”

First Minister John Swinney said he shares the family’s frustration that the case remains unsolved, noting that police and prosecutors operate independently of the Scottish Government.

Mr Wilson was shot at about 7pm on Sunday, November 28, after a man called at the family’s home, spoke to his wife, Veronica, who had answered the door and asked for her husband by name.

The 30-year-old went downstairs to speak to the man and was handed a blue envelope with the word “Paul” on it.

He went inside briefly and then returned to the door for a second time where he was shot and died later that evening in hospital.

The gun, a Haenel Suhl pocket pistol from the 1930s, was recovered from a drain near his home ten days after his murder.

The Op Sabine Major Investigation Public Portal (MIPP) can be accessed here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/96HO020108N02-PO1