Watson's father disappointed at review

Ben Smart and Olivia Hope. Photo / Supplied

Scott Watson's father says he was hoping for a better outcome from a review of the investigation into the disappearance of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope.

Watson was convicted of murdering the couple in 1999, more than a year after they went missing in the Marlborough Sounds on New Year's Eve 1997.

His father Chris Watson and journalist Keith Hunter complained about the way the case was handled.

Now an Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) report has found police officers remained open-minded.

The IPCA last night criticised three aspects of the investigation into the Sounds murders but said the mistakes had no "significant bearing" on the case against Scott Watson.

Justice Lowell Goddard, QC, said in the review that the construction and use of a photo montage from which Watson was identified by two key witnesses were "highly undesirable".

The two have since retracted the identification.

She also criticised police for circulating a "suspect profile" of Watson and for errors in an affidavit sworn by Detective Inspector Rob Pope to obtain interception and search warrants.

Seven other matters raised by Watson's father and Keith Hunter were dismissed.

Chris Watson says he's in the midst of putting together an appeal to the Governor General, and has been waiting to see the outcome of the report before pressing ahead. He admits the result doesn't bode well for an appeal.

- NEWSTALK ZB