Moray police chiefs have been accused of “disrespecting” the family of a teenager who died in alleged suspicious circumstances.
Neil Riddel’s death in 1991 was recorded as suicide, as a result of a drug overdose, but relatives claim he died in police custody and was later dumped near their home.
They have relentlessly campaigned for the case to be reopened, despite police and Crown Office inquiries supporting the official version of events.
Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross took on their cause this summer, saying he found there to be “many issues” that warranted further investigation.
But the politician was left so angry following a recent meeting with senior officers that he is now lodging a complaint with the Chief Constable of Police Scotland.
And he will press the Crown Office to commission a new probe into the handling of Mr Riddel’s death.
Mr Ross said: “I am extremely disappointed and unimpressed by the response to the questions I had posed on behalf of the Riddel family.
“When I attended a meeting in Elgin, with a chief superintendent and the assistant chief constable for the area, it was clear neither were able to answer the questions I was asking.”
Mr Ross said the pair told him they had respectively been looking into the case for “a few weeks” and “a matter of days”.
He added: “This is simply unacceptable, the officers were unprepared to update an MSP acting on behalf of constituents.
“This latest delay is disrespectful to the family, and I will be interested in the chief constable’s view on how his force dealt with my inquiry.”
Assistant Chief Constable Andrew Cowie last night said there was no justification for another review of the case.
He said: “We recognise the impact that the loss of a family member can have, and our thoughts remain with the Riddels.
“Neil’s death was investigated at the time, and fully reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
“His death has been the subject of a Fatal Accident Inquiry, and further review by police and other agencies.
“There are no plans to re-investigate the death and this has been fully communicated to the family.
“If any new information comes to light, it will be assessed.”
