WATCH: First Minister John Swinney agrees to meet the family of murdered Nairn banker Alistair Wilson after a request from Douglas Ross

First Minister John Swinney has agreed to meet the family of Nairn murder victim Alistair Wilson “in the hope that the killer of their husband and father will finally be brought to justice”.

Earlier this week, Andrew Wilson revealed that he had blanked out many of his childhood memories as a way of dealing with what happened after seeing his father Alistair lying in a pool of blood after he was shot in Nairn on November 28, 2004.

In September, Scotland’s top law officer Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC ordered a complete reinvestigation of the case with a new team of police officers and prosecutors.

Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell has said officers have a “resolute determination” to solve the murder but the Wilson family has questioned whether she is fit to lead the force.

Now at the prompting of Highland MSP Douglas Ross Mr Swinney has agreed to meet with the family but said that he is limited in what he could given that it is a live police investigation.

Mr Swinney said he was “prepared to meet with them” if assistance from the First Minister and him listening to their concerns can help in any way.

Mr Ross welcomed that saying it is “hugely positive” news for the Wilson family, and the response from Mr Swinney is in sharp contrast to that of Police Scotland’s Chief Constable Jo Farrell who has repeatedly refused to meet with them.

He added that the Wilson family have “endured torment for too long” and he will continue to work across the Parliament to provide answers for the family and support every effort to finally bring Alistair’s killer to justice.

Mr Ross said: “I am very grateful that John Swinney has agreed to meet with the Wilson family. For two decades they have seen Alistair’s killer evade justice and have endured torment for far too long.

“John Swinney’s commitment is hugely positive for the family. While I fully respect that there is a limit to what the First Minister can do in relation to a live police investigation, I know the fact he is prepared to meet with them is seen as a positive step forward by Veronica and her family.

“His response was in sharp contrast to that of Jo Farrell, Police Scotland’s Chief Constable, who has repeatedly refused to meet with the Wilsons. I have urged the Chief Constable to reconsider her position on this, and I hope she will. If Scotland’s First Minister will meet the family, why can’t the Chief Constable?

“The strength and dignity that Veronica, their sons and the whole family have shown for two decades has been incredible and I will continue to work across Parliament to get the answers they deserve and hopefully we can finally see this killer brought to justice.”