Force apologises over handling of man’s death case 20 years ago

Police Scotland has made an “unreserved apology” to the family of a young man who died more than 20 years ago, as the latest review of the case said failures in the initial investigation mean it cannot be certain how he died.

Kevin McLeod, 24, was found in Wick harbour, Caithness in February 1997 after a night out.

Police said at the time his death was accidental, but his family believed he was murdered and consistently criticised the force for its handling of the case.

Concerns were raised around a failure to keep and submit Mr McLeod’s clothing and not acknowledging marks on his body at an early stage of the inquiry.

It led to a review by a police watchdog, which said thethen Northern Constabulary behaved with “institutional arrogance” in the way it handled complaints from Mr McLeod’s parents Hugh and June.

Earlier this year, Police Scotland said it was “assessing the information” from the case but has now concluded there is no evidence “which would clearly indicate the circumstances surrounding the cause of Kevin’s death, either criminally or accidentally”.

The force remains “fully committed” to investigate any new evidence that may come to light.

Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone, currently the most senior officer in the force, met with Mr McLeod’s parents yesterday and apologised over the handling of the case by the former Northern Constabulary.

Mr Livingstone said: “I hope that this unreserved apology may go some way to bring some form of closure to Kevin’s family.”