Police have rejected claims made in a new book about the murder of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope.
Ben Smart and Olivia Hope Photo: NZ Police
Scott Watson is serving a life sentence for murdering the pair, who disappeared in the Marlborough Sounds on New Year's Day 1998.
In his book Elementary, published in January, journalist Ian Wishart said Watson had an accomplice and the evidence line followed by police was wrong.
However, in a statement released today, Detective Superintendent Peter Read said having had time to complete an analysis of the book, police agree with the finding that Watson was the offender - but strongly disagree that the evidence line they followed was wrong.
Mr Read said the claims made have been considered in detail and, as a result, police do not believe there is any substance to them.