Fury over police 'betrayal' of shot banker's family as senior officer who misled them is in line for promotion
Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Livingstone, who was found guilty of misconduct, has been selected for a prestigious training course – and is being groomed to fill a vacant slot as Assistant Chief Constable.
His selection was delayed after the row over the Wilson case but Chief Constable Jo Farrell has now given Mr Livingstone her backing to take part in the elite course – leading the victim's family to claim they have been 'betrayed'.
Detectives investigating the 20-year-old unsolved murder of Mr Wilson, who was shot dead on his doorstep in Nairn, had been set to arrest a potential suspect, which it was hoped could lead to a breakthrough.
The arrest, planned for May 15, 2023, was halted at the last moment, with Mr Wilson's family only finding out after they contacted a liaison officer for an update.
Mr Livingstone then denied being aware that a date had been identified for the arrest, prompting an official complaint from the family – which was later upheld – that he had misled them.
Last night a source close to the family said: 'They are deeply concerned but it is more a sense of outrage. The police claim their relationship with the family is a priority – but this proves it obviously isn't.
'After years of delays and a failure to make any breakthroughs, this feels like another betrayal for them'
Scottish Tory Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross said: 'Eyebrows will be raised at the prospect of this officer potentially getting promoted for a senior leadership role, despite his previous conduct.'
Mr Ross said that 'instead of being held to account, it seems like those at the top of Police Scotland want to reward him', and the move 'only risks adding insult to injury for a family desperate for answers'.
Police Scotland's Professional Standards Department assessed Mr Livingstone's actions as 'misconduct'.
Ms Farrell approved Mr Livingstone being put forward for the executive leaders programme, run by the College of Policing – a 19-week course which 'offers support and learning to build your personal resilience, boost your confidence and enhance your capabilities through three comprehensive modules'.
A source told the Mail: 'The force executive knew this would be controversial so it was held back.
'But there is a feeling that he is a good cop and this incident doesn't tell the whole story about how hard-working he is.'
They added: 'It's almost guaranteed that he will become an Assistant Chief Constable once this course is completed.'
The salary for an Assistant Chief Constable is £151,816, while the highest salary for Mr Livingstone's current rank is £111,568.
Mr Livingstone could have faced dismissal if his actions had been found to be gross misconduct but it is not known what, if any, sanctions he has faced over the lesser breach of misconduct.
In September last year, it emerged a complete reinvestigation of Mr Wilson's murder had been ordered after more than 150 'concerns' were highlighted in a review of the evidence gathered in the police inquiry.
With the 20th anniversary of Mr Wilson's death approaching last year, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain issued a statement on September 16, 2024, announcing that a 'cold-case' investigation would take place.
This, in turn, led to a statement from Mr Wilson's family in which they stated they had 'no confidence' in the police. They also hit out after Ms Farrell refused to meet them to discuss the case.
Father-of-two Mr Wilson, 30, was shot dead on his doorstep in the Moray coast town of Nairn, on the evening of November 28, 2004, in a crime which shocked Scotland.
A man called at the family's home and spoke to Mr Wilson's wife Veronica, who had answered the door.
The man asked for her husband and when Mr Wilson went to speak to the man he was handed a blue envelope with 'Paul' written on it. Mr Wilson 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.
Initial investigations, first by Northern Constabulary in 2004, then by Police Scotland in 2013, failed to make any significant progress or establish a motive, and no breakthrough has been forthcoming.
A spokesman for Police Scotland declined to comment on Mr Livingstone's participation in the leadership course.
Commenting on the investigation, Chief Superintendent Suzanne Chow said: 'Our relationship with Alistair's family is a priority and we are determined to bring those involved in Alistair's murder to justice.'
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