Father of missing Allan Bryant brands search a '˜joke'

Frustrated by the lack of progress in efforts to find his son, Allan Jnr, who has not been seen since he was caught on CCTV cameras leaving Styx nightclub in the town in the early hours of November 3, 2013, Allan Bryant Snr has now formally reported the investigation to police Scotland’s professional standards department.

Mr Bryant told the Gazette he had been left with no alternative but to launch a formal complaint after what he claims are “significant and fundamental mistakes” made throughout the missing person investigation into his son’s disappearance.

“The investigation has been riddled with mistakes from the very start, it’s been an absolute joke and nothing has improved,” he explained.

“It feels like we have driven this investigation not the police, we have supplied so many leads and information yet we get very little back, I’ve not spoken to anyone involved in the investigation for weeks.”

Mr Bryant now has concerns over a file containing 600 pages of information that he personally collected through constant appeals and from members of the public, which he claims he handed over to police in 2015.

“I’ve requested its return but I’m still waiting,” said Mr Bryant.

“We have run our own appeals for information and that has generated a huge amount of information which we have collated together and presented to the investigating team.

“Nothing, regardless of however insignificant some may consider, has been disregarded. I’d now like copies of that back,” he added.

Police Scotland has acknowledged that a formal complaint has been received but declined to comment further.

Throughout the time their son, who was 23 years old at the time of his disappearance, has been missing, their then councillor and now MP Peter Grant has been in close contact with the family.

“Having been involved with the Bryants as their local councillor and now as their MP, I have been in contact with the family on a number of occasions throughout this difficult time,” said Mr Grant.

“Following recent discussions with Marie and Allan I have raised their concerns with Police Scotland, and I will continue to do all that I can to support the family to find the answers they need in the search for their son.

“I would urge anyone with information which may help the investigation to come forward and contact Police Scotland.”