UPDATE - MURDER OF ALISTAIR WILSON - NAIRN
OFFICER LEADING INQUIRY INTO NAIRN MURDER REPORTS "SIGNIFICANT FIND"
THE officer leading the inquiry into the murder of father of two Alistair Wilson has revealed that the firearm found by workmen in Seabank Road, Nairn yesterday (8th December 2004) is consistent with the type he has been looking for in connection with the inquiry.
Detective Chief Inspector Peter MacPhee said at a press briefing at Nairn Police Station earlier today that the discovery of a small handgun was "very significant."
He said: "The weapon recovered is a small handgun and may have been capable of carrying out the murder of Alistair Wilson.
"Obviously we have to wait until forensic examination of the weapon takes place before we can conslusively create a definite link between it and the murder. That could take days or weeks."
DCI MacPhee also said he plans to send out a written appeal for information to every household in Nairn.
The letters contain a direct appeal from Detective Chief Inspector Peter MacPhee for further information on the murder of the Nairn banker.
Posters with a picture of Alistair Wilson and a telephone number to call with information are also included in the mailshot which will be delivered free of charge by the local Post Office early next week.
Following the discovery of the weapon DCI MacPhee said he will today begin further searches and inquiries in the Seabank Road area, which will include searches of people's gardens.
The area where the firearm was found is a substantial distance from the scene of the shooting and was not included in the initial search perameters, which were covered an area of over one square mile around the scene.
He said: "There will be a substantial increase in the size of the house to house teams as we carry out inquiries in the general area of Seabank Road. This will take the number of officers working on the incident up to around fifty.
"We will be carrying out searches which will include gardens and I would ask these householders for their co-operation and understanding at this time."
There is no further information available at this time.