Wick family grateful for support from Baroness Newlove
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A CAITHNESS mother says she is very grateful the fight for justice for her son has been supported by a leading member of the House of Lords.
June McLeod, whose son Kevin's body was found in Wick harbour 23 years ago, is pleased that Baroness Newlove, the deputy speaker in the Lords, has backed the family's campaign to find out what happened to the 24-year-old electrician.
The McLeods believe Kevin was murdered because of the injuries on his body but the police claim his death was the result of an unfortunate accident. The family have campaigned for over two decades to find out the truth and hope the independent inquiry into the case by Merseyside Police can give them the answers they want.
Mrs McLeod wrote to Baroness Newlove, a former Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, after she spoke recently on national TV about the murder of her husband Garry in Warrington in Cheshire in 2007. The 47-year-old was beaten to death after challenging a group of teenagers he suspected had vandalised his wife's car.
Mrs McLeod wrote to the baroness to express her admiration for the way she ensured victims' voices are heard and to tell her about Kevin's case. Almost two years ago, another member of the House of Lords, Baroness Lawrence, whose young son Stephen was murdered in 1993, also supported the Wick family's fight for justice.
Mrs McLeod said:"I am very grateful to Baroness Newlove and Baroness Lawrence, who are two strong, determined women, for taking the time to reply to support and wish my family and I the very best of outcomes in our campaign for truth and justice.
"We are privileged having two such prominent figures supporting our campaign. They are both aware how vital it is to fight for the truth and for justice.
"We now hope and pray that the Merseyside review team will finally establish why police, in 1997, ignored the procurator fiscal's instruction to investigate Kevin’s death as murder, and why this criminal negligence by police was hidden from the family by the authorities for 20 years.
"I want Kevin’s killers caught and brought to justice but also the people who had failed him brought to account."
Allan McLeod, Kevin's uncle, said: "To get such a strong support from someone like Baroness Newlove, who wants the voice of victims of crime to be heard and to make sure people are treated with humanity, is clearly welcomed by the family, as from the time of Kevin’s tragic death, his family have been his voice."
In her letter Baroness Newlove spoke of "the horrendous journey" the family have been on you and said: "No mother should have to go through this on top of losing a son. My heart goes out to you."
She stated: "I truly believe that the time has come for a victims' law to protect loved ones and their families."
The baroness said even if the independent review results in a murder investigation there will be challenges ahead. "It will be another emotional rollercoaster. But I know I would fight just like you to ensure that your son’s life is recognised and not as a case file... just to be put away in a filing cabinet."
- Assurance given on independent review into Kevin McLeod case
- Merseyside Police in fresh appeal over Kevin's death 23 years ago
