Following a request for information relating to the death of Willie MacRae in 1985, Northern Constabulary has reviewed the file for this sudden death and has decided that it is in the ‘Public Interest’ to release the following files and photographs from the investigation:

• Photographs of the accident site (x10) (1.1Mb Zip File)
• Photographs of Mr MacRae’s Pistol and bullets (x3) (0.7 Mb Zip File)
• 26 Documents relating to the investigation (6.7Mb Zip File) including the vehicle report, analysis of the pistol and the synopsis of the incident.
• A file of newspaper cuttings in respect of the reporting into the death of Mr MacRae is available on request.

If you click any of the above links you will be asked "Would you like to Open these files or Save to your computer" choose to save to your computer. You can then "unzip" these files and view them. If you do not have software to unzip the files then it can be downloaded from Winzip which is suitable for the Windows operating system or Stuffit Expander which is Suitable for the Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems.

If you are unable to access these Zip files they are available using the links below:

• Death of Mr MacRae - Information
• Death of Mr MacRae - Locus and map
• Death of Mr MacRae - Synopsis
• Death of Mr MacRae - Vehicle Report
• Death of Mr MacRae - Gun - Bullet - Firearms Report
• Death of Mr MacRae - Receipts for property
• Death of Mr MacRae - Press Release - Lord Advocate's letter

Other files have not been disclosed as they are exempt information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. The exemptions are:

1. Section 26 Prohibitions on Disclosure by or under an enactment (Subsection (a)). The information relating to individuals is exempt under the Human Rights Act 1998 Article 8 – The right to respect for privacy.

2. Section 30 Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs. Subsection (b)(i)(ii) and (c) - The release of the information gathered during the investigation would undermine confidence in the conduct of investigations and, in particular, it would be likely to inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice or the exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation, a fundamental purpose of such reports.

3. Section 34 Investigations by Scottish Public Authorities and proceedings arising out of such investigations. Subsection 1 - The disclosure would prejudice substantially the prevention or detection of crime. Subsection 3 - The Police must be able to protect the means of attaining confidential information to maintain the integrity of investigation of this nature.

4. Section 35 Law Enforcement. Subsection (1)(c) – The disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to prejudice substantially:- the administration of justice.

5. Section 36 Confidentiality. Information is exempt information if its disclosure by the Authority so obtaining it to the public (otherwise than under this Act) would constitute a breach of confidence actionable by that person or any other person. The collection of information for this investigation was done in confidence from individuals.

6. Section 38 Personal Data. Subsection 1 - Information is exempt information if it constitutes:

(a) Personal Data of which the applicant is the data subject

(b) Personal Data and either of the conditions mentioned in sub-section (2) (the first condition) or that mentioned in sub-section (3) (the second condition) is satisfied.

7. Section 39 Health, safety and the environment, subsection (1). The information is exempt if it is “likely to, endanger the physical or mental health or safety of an individual.” Due to the nature of this type of enquiry a frank exchange of information may occur between investigating officers and interviewees. If the content of this exchange were to be disclosed the physical or mental health of the individuals concerned could be endangered.

If you require further information on this subject then please contact the Freedom of Information officer on 01463 720688 or you can Email. foi@northern.pnn.police.uk