The prime suspect in the 20-year unsolved murder of Nairn banker Alistair Wilson can be linked to a person whose name matches that on the envelope used to lure the victim to his death.
Mr Wilson, a dad-of-two, was shot on his doorstep in the Highland town on November 28, 2004, in a crime which shocked Scotland and has gone unsolved for two decades.
The assassin handed a small blue envelope with the name ‘Paul’ written on it to Mr Wilson’s wife, Veronica, and asked her to pass it to her husband.
Mr Wilson was shot when he came to the door and, despite extensive inquiries, the crime has never been solved.
We told this year that police were set, in May last year, to arrest a suspect before the operation was aborted at the last moment, much to the distress of Mr Wilson’s family.
It can now be revealed that the suspect, who has still never been detained for questioning, can be closely linked to a man named Paul, which sources say adds possible weight to the case to detain him.
The reason for handing over the envelope has never been established or revealed, with some believing it may simply have been a device used to get Mr Wilson to come to the door.
Mr Wilson’s family have declined to comment.
However, a source close to them said: ‘This is a distressing time, as is every passing day, week, month and year, for the family, and the thought that the person responsible has never been caught makes things even more upsetting.
‘Any possible connection between the suspect and the envelope, no matter how insignificant it may seem, only serves to further underline the family’s wish that the person identified by police is detained for questioning as a matter of urgency.
‘The family are not naïve and realise this might only mark a next stage in the inquiry, but they are certain that it must be done, and sooner rather than later, to take the inquiry forward.
‘Clearly, as the anniversary approaches, the family would hope that anyone with information, no matter how important or unimportant it may seem, contacts police as soon as possible in the hope that it might finally lead to the breakthrough that they dearly wish to see.’
The police inquiry, first by Northern Constabulary, then by Police Scotland following its formation in 2013, made no significant progress for years, with even a motive failing to be established.
In an apparent breakthrough a couple of years ago, police issued a new description of persons of interest, two men seen on the beach near Mr Wilson’s house, one possibly in possession of a gun, shortly before the killing.
Police also stated they believed the motive could be linked to a planning row over decking being constructed at the Havelock hotel, right across the road from the Wilson home.
A suspect was identified with an arrest planned for May 15 last year. It was halted at the last moment, with Mr Wilson’s family only finding out after they contacted a liaison officer for an update.
We also told this year how the family have lost confidence in police, with a complaint by them against one senior officer, Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Livingstone, upheld in that he lied to them by denying an arrest date had been set.
DCS has also been found guilty of misconduct over this following a police professional standards probe.
As the 20th anniversary of Mr Wilson’s death approaching, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain issued a statement on September 16 announcing that a full ‘cold-case’ investigation into the murder will take place.
Father of two Mr Wilson, 30, was shot dead on his doorstep in Nairn on the evening of November 28, 2004.
A man called at the family’s home and spoke to his wife Veronica, who had answered the door, and asked for her husband.
Mr Wilson went to speak to the man and was handed the envelope with ‘Paul’ on it. He went inside briefly then returned to the door where he was shot.
The gun used, a Haenel Suhl pistol from the 1930s, was missed in the initial police search and was recovered from a nearby drain by a council worker ten days later.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘We remain committed to identifying the person or people responsible for the murder of Alistair Wilson.
‘The senior investigating officer has met with Mrs Wilson and briefed her on the reinvestigation of the case, and anyone with information about this inquiry is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101.’