Detective Superintendent Ralph Noble was responding to new information provided by the McLeods which they claim supports their belief that Kevin was murdered.

The officer further makes clear that, as far as Northern Constabulary and the procurator fiscal service are concerned, no evidence of crime has been uncovered and the case is closed.

His reply has drawn a furious reaction from the family, who are demanding that another force carries out a fresh probe into Kevin's death in February 1997.

The McLeods' suspicions of foul play took root after Kevin's postmortem examination found that he had suffered severe abdominal injuries shortly before ending up at the bottom of Wick harbour.

Their own investigation, which included the hiring of a private detective, has led them to believe that Kevin was left helpless on the quayside after a savage beating by three men.

At the fatal accident inquiry, Sheriff Ian Cameron found that the injuries could have been incurred through an assault such as a kicking or kneeing or by an accidental fall. But in his response to the family, Det Supt Noble appears to rule out any dubiety.

He states: "I must advise that all matters of medical opinion provided by a number of experienced pathologists... commonly provide a position which records that the injuries were sustained accidentally. This is in keeping with the outcome of all enquiries, investigations and judicial examinations carried out to date, which have collectively determined the current status of the case as being closed."

Det Supt Noble said no evidence of foul play has been found and no fresh police investigation planned.

Meanwhile, Det Supt Noble has referred the family's new complaints about how police carried out the investigation into Kevin's death to Deputy Chief Constable Garry Sutherland.

The detective superintendent has also referred evidence provided by the family about a man suspected of being involved in Kevin's death to the fiscal service.

The reply has infuriated Kevin's parents, Hugh and June McLeod, and his uncle Allan McLeod.

Allan McLeod said this week: "To say we were shocked and furious at this letter is an understatement.

"How can this officer who has only been in his post a matter of weeks inform us after 12 years of fighting for justice that Kevin's case is now concluded?"

Mr McLeod said the family are also dumbfounded by Det Supt Noble's view that Kevin's injuries were the result of an accident.

He said this contradicted the findings of the fatal accident inquiry and leading US pathologist Nat Carey, who found that the injuries had all the hallmarks of a homicide.

Mr McLeod said: "The chief constable (Ian Latimer) apologised for stating that Kevin' death was a tragic accident – Det Supt Noble must now do the same as there is no medical evidence that proves the death was accidental."

Mr McLeod believes Det Supt Noble may be referring to the police theory that Kevin sustained the injuries by falling against creels on a fishing boat on his way into the water. The family insist that this scenario has since been discredited.

Meanwhile, they are unhappy with the way the police have treated the latest information they have given.

Mr McLeod explained: "We believed the information was a major breakthrough as it included witnesses' names and identified those allegedly involved in Kevin's murder.

"We expected police to contact us to say they would be investigating this new information.

"Instead, we were amazed to receive a letter informing us that the case was now closed."

Mr McLeod insisted the family were not conducting a witch-hunt but a campaign to win overdue justice for Kevin. He said they were continuing to press for another force to be put in charge of a new investigation.

This week the McLeods contacted Far North MP John Thurso and MSP Jamie Stone about the latest development and are hoping the two politicians can take their campaign forward.

Mr McLeod said: "Kevin's death and our campaign to expose the truth has drained the family physically, mentally, emotionally and financially.

"It's now time for politicians and the Scottish Government to sit up and take over and expose Northern Constabulary as not fit for purpose.

"We believe that we will never get justice until another police force reviews Northern Constabulary's handling of the case and the circumstances surrounding Kevin's death."

iain-grant@ukf.net

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