A family whose house is at the centre of an ongoing forensic police search for missing Glenrothes man Allan Bryant Jr claim they are the victims of a smear campaign.
The McAllisters have not been allowed back into their home in Barnton Place since officers swooped on the property more than three weeks ago.
The search forms part of the investigation into the disappearance of Mr Bryant, who vanished almost four years ago.
Mr Bryant, 23, also from Glenrothes, was last seen outside Styx nightclub in the town on November 3 2013.
Despite an extensive air, ground and water search by police and a country-wide missing poster campaign, there has still been no trace of him.
Thomas McAllister Sr, 67, and his wife Liz claim they have been left to sleep in their car for the last three weeks while the search continues.
Meanwhile, their son, Thomas Jr, 26, says he has had to pitch up a tent in the alley at the side of the house.
Mr McAllister Sr said: “How long do the police need to search a house?
“They have found nothing because there is nothing to find and there have never been any charges because there are none to make. This is nothing more than racial victimisation because we originate from the Gypsy Traveller community.”
It is understood the family moved into the property around six years ago after experiencing intimidation at their previous residence.
The family claim they have never been given a reason for the prolonged exclusion and add that police have yet to let them see a written warrant for the search, despite numerous requests.
Mrs McAllister, 53, said: “I sympathise with the family and their search for their son. Who wouldn’t?
“But this cloud of suspicion over us is based on nothing but lies and wild accusations that are not true and we are being victimised because of them.
Mr McAllister Jr said: “I’ve had random strangers spit at me in the street and shout racist abuse to my face.
“We’ve even had things thrown at the house but we won’t be bullied out of our own home.”
He also said he has copies of death threats made online which he claims the police have failed to act on.
It is understood police have visited and searched the McAllisters’ home on two previous occasions.
The family have confirmed police will finally allow them to request personal items from the house in the coming days but have been told it could be another week before they take back their home.
They have had a police panic button installed.
Detective Inspector Stuart Wilson of Police Scotland said: “We remain committed to getting answers for the Bryant family and any information we receive from the community will be assessed and further action taken wherever appropriate.”
