Family's dismay as new probe refused

By Iain Grant

Published: 06 August, 2008

NORTH police are facing renewed flak over their failure to reopen their probe into the unsolved death of a young Wick man over 11 years ago.

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The family of Kevin McLeod claim to have unearthed new evidence that supports their belief that the 24-year-old was the victim of foul play.

The six-page dossier includes an allegation of a person having confessed to having "hammered" Kevin on the night he died.

It also contains claims that a key witness lied on oath in evidence to the fatal accident inquiry and that an off-duty policeman was involved in a savage beating inflicted on Kevin shortly before he ended up in Wick harbour.

Northern Constabulary has dismissed the information as "not credible" and has ruled out a fresh investigation.

A spokeswoman said yesterday: "Northern Constabulary has investigated all known evidence thoroughly and extensively.

"The case has also been subject to a fatal accident inquiry and internal and external reviews over a number of years since 1997.

"We remain willing to examine any new evidence, should this come to light."

The response has astounded the family who compiled the dossier from information passed on over the past two years to them and their Glasgow-based solicitor John Macaulay.

Following the response from Detective Superintendent Gordon Urquhart, they have lodged a complaint with the Scottish Police Complaints Commissioner Jim Martin.

Kevin's father Hugh McLeod yesterday claimed the latest rebuff to the family is particularly upsetting given Northern Constabulary Chief Constable Ian Latimer's recent pledge to follow up any new leads that emerge.

Mr McLeod said: "At the very least they could have spoken to the family or our solicitor about the information we have compiled.

"We firmly believe that if they investigated some of the information, they would make some headway with the case.

"Over the years we have had assurances from Northern Constabulary, the fiscal's office, the Crown Office and the Lord Advocate that if new evidence becomes available, it will be investigated.

"After we provide this in a letter to Northern Constabulary, Detective Superintendent Urquhart turns round and more or less says, 'It's all been looked into – go away.'

"It makes the pledges we have had in the past seem like just so much hollow words."

Mr McLeod said no-one from the force had spoken with the family or their solicitor.

"What would it have cost to send a couple of officers round to speak to us about the new information we have been given? They didn't have the decency to do that."

Mr McLeod, of Nicolson Street, Wick, questioned the force's commitment to finding out how his son met his end.

He said: "We believe that they just don't want to solve the case as they have already had too much egg on their face."

Kevin's uncle Allan McLeod is similarly aggrieved at the failure of the force to act on the dossier the family supplied on July 21.

He said: "This is new information which we know 100 per cent is pertinent and fresh and has not been investigated by Northern Constabulary."

The family's concern that Kevin had been brutally beaten up was prompted by evidence of severe damage to his internal organs.

The fatal accident inquiry into the tragedy on February 1997 failed to establish how Kevin had died but did not rule out foul play.

Two police probes failed to find any criminal involvement though Mr Latimer has repeatedly pledged to follow up any fresh evidence.

The family believes the way forward is a new probe from an outside force but that request has been rebuffed.

Allan McLeod said: "The way in which Northern Constabulary has investigated Kevin's death and treated the family has been disrespectful, deplorable and totally unprofessional.

"The police did not properly investigate Kevin's death in 1997 and 11 years on they still won't properly investigate this latest information we have provided them with."

Mr Latimer earlier this year apologised to the family after several official reports criticised his force for a series of shortcomings.

The chief constable has, however, denied any suggestion of a cover-up or a lack of commitment to solve the case. And the force insists that it has made changes in how it investigates sudden deaths and deals with complaints in the wake of the reports' findings.

In his reply to the McLeods on July 28, Detective Superintendent Urquhart rules out a fresh probe.

He states: "From previous correspondence, I am aware of your concerns regarding the individuals mentioned within the letter and previous reviews have looked at these matters without finding any connection to Kevin's death.

"Some of the individuals mentioned by you have had their allegations examined and been discredited.

"Their information is not credible and certainly not worthy of further examination, especially in the light of previous investigations.

"I see no viability in going over these matters once more."

Mr Urquhart said the force would be happy to look into any information that is "pertinent and fresh".

iain-grant@ukf.net