Actions of Crown Office to be investigated as part of Kevin review
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THE family of Kevin McLeod, whose body was found in Wick harbour 23 years ago, have been told that the actions of the Crown Office – along with those of the police – are to be investigated as part of an independent review into the case.
The news emerged as it was confirmed the review being undertaken by Merseyside Police is making "significant progress".
Kevin's parents, Hugh and June McLeod and his uncle, Allan McLeod, described the latest developments as encouraging. The family believe the 24-year-old electrician was murdered after a night out in Wick in February 1997, because of the injuries on his body, but the police claim his death was a tragic accident.
Allan McLeod said: "We have been informed that not only the actions of the police are to be investigated by Merseyside Police but also the actions of the Crown Office will be considered, and rightly so."
He said the review should consider what action Crown officials took to follow up the instruction by the procurator fiscal at Wick to police to investigate the case as a murder inquiry. It was only three years ago Police Scotland admitted the former Northern Constabulary failed to act on the instruction.
"It’s crucial that Merseyside Police establish exactly when the Crown and its officials discovered that police had failed to act on their instruction to investigate Kevin’s death as a murder," Allan said.
In a briefing about the review, the McLeods were told that if there is evidence of misconduct or error by the Crown Office it will be raised with the Lord Advocate.
They were also informed if there is any "credible evidence" of criminality by officers then it is "likely to be in the public interest to take action".
Allan said: "To be informed that the Merseyside team has made significant progress despite the current pandemic is encouraging. No matter how long Merseyside’s independent investigation takes, the family remain hopeful the wait will be worthwhile... and finally give us the answers, but more importantly the justice that Kevin rightly deserves, which both legacy force Northern Constabulary and Police Scotland failed to provide.
"The family continue to question why would police deliberately ignore the fiscal’s specific instruction to investigate Kevin’s death as a murder, immediately destroy Kevin’s clothing, and conceal this gross dereliction of duty from the family.
"Those responsible must be held accountable for their actions along with all those in authority who, for two decades, concealed these serious failures by police from the family."
A report by Merseyside Police is expected to be available to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service by the end of the year.
