A petition is to be submitted to Scotland’s Justice Secretary calling for him to appoint a new police force to investigate the disappearance of a Glenrothes man.
The family of missing Allan Bryant Jr took just eight days to accumulate 5,000 signatures on the document which will now be handed over to Michael Matheson.
Mr Bryant’s father, Allan Sr, said last week he would lobby the Scottish Government after voicing his concerns about the police investigation into his son’s disappearance in 2013.
“Now we’ve reached 5,000 the petition will be sent to Michael Matheson and Iain Livingstone, the Deputy Chief Constable of Police Scotland, calling on a new force to investigate Allan’s disappearance,” said Mr Bryant.
“The police have failed Allan since day one and we want a new force to take on his case.
“This is something we’ve never done before and it’s a new direction for the campaign.
“It is a shame that we’ve had to go down this road. We should not have to fight the police.”
Allan Jr was 23 when he disappeared after a night out with friends on November 3 2013.
High-profile appeals have been made by both his family and the police, while searches have been conducted throughout the town and across Fife.
However, there remains no trace of Allan Jr, who would now be 27, with his father having stated on several occasions his belief that his son is dead.
Mr Bryant initially raised his concerns about the police investigation just one week after Allan Jr disappeared when a police incident van was not able to attend Styx nightclub.
He was also critical of the delay in releasing CCTV of Allan Jr’s last known movements as he left the nightspot, a process that took seven months.
Last week, Police Scotland defended its handling of the investigation – the largest missing person search in Fife history – with a spokesperson saying: “The major investigation team has been assisted by numerous specialists, and we continue to assess, evaluate and action any new information which comes in that might assist our investigation.
“We continue to appeal for anyone who has information about Allan’s disappearance to contact us.”
Mr Bryant once again thanked members of the public for supporting his campaign.
He added: “The support we have had is amazing.
“I don’t think the people realise what a big part they have played in keeping us going through all of this.
“Having that support means the world to us.”
