Kevin's family last month welcomed Chief Constable Ian Latimer's pledge to consider their plea for another force to carry out a "cold case" review.

But they are unhappy to learn that Mr Latimer is following this up at a meeting today (Wednesday) with Highlands and Islands area procurator fiscal Andrew Laing.

Kevin's uncle, Allan McLeod, yesterday said the family understood the chief constable's discussions would be with staff at the Crown Office in Edinburgh.

He said: "We were surprised, disappointed and deeply suspicious to learn from Mr Latimer that he is meeting Mr Laing about our request.

"Mr Laing, after all, was involved in the previous investigations and we understood from Mr Latimer that he would be speaking with the Deputy Crown Agent."

Mr Latimer met with Kevin's parents, June and Hugh McLeod, and Allan McLeod in Wick last month when he apologised to them for shortcomings in how the force had dealt with the family.

That was accepted and the family welcomed the chief constable's commitment to consider their request for a fresh probe into the circumstances of the 24-year-old's death in Wick harbour in February 1997.

But Allan McLeod yesterday warned their relations with Mr Latimer could easily be fractured again.

"If we don't get a review by an independent force, we'll be back at loggerheads as the unreserved apologies tendered by Mr Latimer will be meaningless and worthless," he said.

"The only way we'll be satisfied is with an independent force coming in and carrying out a full cold case review into the evidence that was looked at and the new evidence which has emerged."

He added: "Such a review is the very least that the family and the public deserve after Northern Constabulary's botched initial inquiry, their mishandling of our complaints and the sheer hell that Mr Latimer and his force have put us through over the past 11 years."

Allan McLeod said the initial police investigation had been heavily criticised by Sheriff Ian Cameron at the fatal accident inquiry and in separate reports conducted by Central Scotland Police's Chief Constable Andrew Cameron and Scottish Police Commissioner Jim Martin.

He said the family will seek the backing for their plea for a fresh probe at a meeting they are having today in Wick with representatives of the police board.

A Northern Constabulary spokesman yesterday insisted that the family's request is being dealt with in an entirely fair and objective manner.

A spokesman said: "Mr Latimer is doing everything that he told the family he would do.

"The first step is for the chief constable to speak with Mr Laing and he is doing that tomorrow."

The McLeods are today to meet with police board convener Norman Macleod, vice-convener Ian Ross and clerk Ros Pieroni.

This follows a recommendation from Mr Martin that the board apologises for the way their complaints were dealt with and answers any questions the family may have.

iain-grant@ukf.net

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