Claim police covered up hiker’s possible murder investigated

Forfar: Former police officer behind explosive allegation

Scotland’s top law officer is investigating an Angus whistleblower’s claims that police covered up a hiker’s possible murder.

The Lord Advocate, James Wolffe QC, is personally probing Kenny Mckechnie’s claims that senior officers ignored evidence because it was too difficult and expensive to launch a murder investigation.

North East Scotland Conservative MSP Liam Kerr asked the Lord Advocate to review the case notes in relation to Nicholas Randall’s unsolved death.

He said: “Most people reading reports of this case would agree there appears to be more to it.”

Mr Randall, of Blackhall, Edinburgh, vanished in 2005 after buying a sleeping bag in a store in Edinburgh.

It is assumed he hiked on the West Highland Way as his car was found 47 miles away at the Glen Nevis waterfall car park, near Fort William, three months after he vanished.

“Correspondence has been received from Liam Kerr MSP and a response will be issued

In the following months there were sporadic sightings, including some walkers at Glen Tilt in Perthshire and Blair Castle Carvan Park where a man answering Mr Randall’s description had asked to pitch his tent.

Mr Randall’s body was found in a pitched tent by forestry workers in 2008 near Bridge of Orchy, Argyll.

Two sets of clothes were found as well as a used condom.

The case was quickly closed by Strathclyde Police who suspected no foul play.

Mr Mckechnie, 48, of Forfar, a former police officer, was close to the investigation. He claims senior officers turned a blind eye to evidence which suggested Mr Randall was with a mystery companion.

He said management did not want to deal with the case because it was too difficult and expensive to launch a murder investigation.

Police Scotland said a thorough investigation was carried out by a team led by a detective inspector and included forensic specialists and a post-mortem examination.

The Lord Advocate can refer the case to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner watchdog.

The Crown Office said: “Correspondence has been received from Liam Kerr MSP and a response will be issued.”

gstrachan@thecourier.co.uk

The body of Nicholas Randall was found in a pitched tent near Bridge of Orchy, Argyll.