Detectives probing the unsolved murder of Jill Dando are assessing information about a jailed Serbian assassin.
Milorad Ulemek is reportedly seen in a newly unearthed picture wearing an unusual tie that matches one worn by a man caught on CCTV near the scene in Fulham 26 years ago.
The twice-convicted killer is serving 40 years in prison in Serbia.
Ulemek is said to share a number of similarities with a person – who became known as Man X – captured following the gunman’s likely escape route after BBC Crimewatch host Dando was shot on Gowan Avenue just after 11.30am on Monday, April 26, 1999.
Scotland Yard told the Daily Mirror, which carried out an investigation: “No unsolved murder is ever closed and detectives are assessing this information to understand whether it’s a new and realistic line of enquiry.”
A force spokeswoman told the Standard: “In the 26 years since Jill Dando's murder, the investigation has been subject to numerous reviews, aiming to identify whether matters could be progressed with advances in technology and forensics.
“The investigation is now in an inactive phase, which means that it is not currently subject to routine reviews.”
In 2013, a forensic review took place, followed by the most recent periodic reviews in 2018 and 2020. The last one specifically considered theories regarding a “contract killing” motive. None identified any new lines of enquiry.
The Mirror newspaper said the original CCTV is believed to be buried somewhere in 223 boxes of material in Metropolitan Police deep storage.
Modern forensic imaging technology should enable officers to decide whether Ulemek should be treated as a suspect, it said.
Certified forensic video analyst Emi Polito has compiled a report comparing a navy blue striped tie with a distinctive design just like the one worn by Man X.
Mr Polito found the most “significant” similarity between them is a number of dark tones in the light stripes of Man X’s tie which mirror Ulemek’s.
Other similarities were the “general form and style”, the appearance of it under the knot and three dark stripes which are “broadly similar size and tone”. Mr Polito said his detailed examination “lends moderate support” to the contention that they are the same “type and design”, according to the Mirror.
Ms Dando’s murder left the entire nation in a state of shock and sparked one of the UK’s largest homicide investigations.
But the police probe was bungled and prosecutors put too much importance on a single speck of firearms residue found in the prime suspect’s coat.
At the time of Jill’s death, 56-year-old hitman Ulemek led a squad targeting those opposing dictator Slobodan Milosevic.
The tragic broadcaster had made an appeal for Kosovan refugees dying at the hands of his forces.
Within hours of her passing, a call was made to the BBC claiming the hit was in response to British planes bombing Serbia.
Last April, Ms Dando’s brother Nigel Dando, 72, told the newspaper: “I’m always interested in any new lines of inquiry about Jill’s death, especially if they might lead to somebody being arrested and convicted of her murder.”
Ulemek’s lawyer Aleksander Kovacevic reportedly said the killer did not wish to comment about Ms Dando, adding: “He is not interested in participating.”
The Met was approached for further comment.
