Former senior cop mystified by secrecy around one of Scotland’s biggest ever manhunts

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A former policeman questioned why details about a big manhunt were not revealed to the public

Information about the search for Craig Munro and Allan Robertson was only disclosed by newspapers after officials claimed that there were “legal reasons” for the decision to withhold it. 

This was despite Police Scotland releasing CCTV images of the pair but without any descriptions being issued or explanation of why officers wanted to speak with them. 

It has now emerged officers want to interview the pair – whom the public has been warned not to approach – in connection with a double murder that has left a small village stunned. 

Munro, 30, and 26-year-old Robertson may also be accompanied by a woman, Farrah Fadli, who was initially reported missing, along with her two children. 

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However, last week, 10-year-old McKenzie Scullion and Eva Kerr, 4, were dropped off safe and well at a house belonging to a friend of their 29-year-old mother. 

Since then there has not been any sighting of Ms Fadli, from Ayr, and it is thought she may have been in contact with the wanted pair. 

Police Scotland want to talk to them following the killings of Jim Imrie and his brother-in-law John Smith. They were discovered dead in their homes in Ayrshire village Stevenston this month. 

Mr Imrie, 56, was found beaten to death in his home on October 9. Within hours, the body of his 52-year-old relative was discovered two miles away. 

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Information about the search for Allan Robertson and Craig Munro was withheld by police

A 30-year-old man who had suffered knife injuries was also found in the house but has since been released from hospital. 

I don’t know why the Crown Office is not being more open with the public

Graeme Pearson

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “The police are currently pursuing a number of lines of inquiry in relation to tracing these males. 

“Members of the public are advised not to approach these males but to contact police immediately on telephone number 101.” 

A Crown Office spokesman said it was unable to reveal why the men were being sought due to legal reasons. 

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It is now thought that Farrah Fadli may have been in contact with the wanted pair

But this stance left one of Scotland’s former top police officers bemused. 

Graeme Pearson, an ex-Labour MSP and one-time head of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, said it was “very unusual” that the Crown Office and police would seek public help without saying what the men had done. 

He added: “It is not a precedent that I’m aware of. I don’t know why the Crown Office is not being more open with the public. It is very unusual that they would not offer an explanation. 

“Unfortunately, it makes it very difficult in encouraging the public to help. Presumably there must be a pressing reason – we just don’t know what that pressing reason is.”