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It's not a new lead because I think Mike Mansfield proposed it as a possible motive during the original trial. If the Met paid it any mind they probably concluded that there was little prospect of a 'collar', this would be a PR disaster, so why not 'fit' someone instead ?

The police didn't fabricate any evidence against Barry George. They said all along the evidence was circumstantial, except for the gunshot evidence which was believed to be significant and was supplied by the Forensic Science Service.

Barry George's defence team clearly stated at the appeal that they did not regard Barry Geoge as having been fitted up by the police, but was the victim of a misunderstanding about the significance of the gunshot residue evidence.

No they didn't fabricate anything but they can give some evidence more priority than others - read about 'confirmation bias' - and not investigate other leads or hypotheses as thoroughly as they might in the belief that they already have the answer.

Of course Georges' team aren't going to say they think he was 'fitted'. There's an obvious, common sense reason why you wouldn't. It doesn't mean that they didn't think that this was the case.

The Forensic Science Service said the gunshot residue evidence was significant and then later they said it was worthless.

When the gunshot residue evidence was said to be significant, it's hardly surprising that the police thought they had the answer.

I'm no scientist or statistician, but I do know there are degrees of significance. Significant in this case meant that it was just about good enough in lieu of any other evidence, and sufficient to construct a case around, but constructing a case isn't policing is it ? Isn't it more about a plausible narrative and storytelling ?

The police would investigate any old cock&bull in a high profile case, just to make it look like they're doing something - and a few of them will get a free trip to Serbia once the weather gets a bit better, just to check out the facts.

Maybe they should have a word with Uncle Bulgaria, he always was a nasty bastard.

He wears slippers 24/7 though so is obviously a 'weirdo' and as such prime material for a 'fit-up'. Uncle Bulgaria would never expose himself to that kind of risk and so wouldn't cooperate.