Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has written to the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, to urge him to issue an interim report on the first stages of investigations into raptor deaths around Cononbridge.

The communication has been copied to Highlands and Islands, Chief Superintendent, Julian Innes, and the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Michael Matheson.

This follows 22 birds of prey, including 16 red kites, being found dead in one small area around Cononbridge in 2014. As yet, the culprit for these killings has not been brought to justice and the investigation remains on-going.

Mr Thompson said, "I appreciate the need to await the full review into the investigation, especially as the case is live, and as such, we must be sensitive to the investigative process.

"However, I feel enough time has elapsed that the general public are owed an explanation of where the case is at, which is why I have requested an interim review to be issued by Police Scotland, so we can see how the process has been handled in the early stages.

"I have written to the Chief Constable and copied in the Chief Superintendent, Julian Innes, and the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Michael Matheson, on the matter.

"I look forward to hearing back from the Chief Constable as soon as is practicably possible on what is an issue that still remains a concern to many of my constituents and beyond".

Note:

Dave's Letter to the Chief Constable:

"Dear Chief Constable

Given the length of time that has passed and the failure to date to bring a culprit to justice, I am writing to ask if Police Scotland could issue an interim report on the first stages of the investigation, perhaps the first six months, into the raptor deaths around Cononbridge.

As you know there is considerable public anger at the incident and I believe this would go some way to helping people understand how seriously the Police are taking the investigation and the constraints you may have been under in the early stages.

Yours Sincerely

Dave Thompson SNP MSP

Constituency of Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch"