Scots Labour leader says Lockerbie bomber's appearance on Libyan TV 'turned the stomach of our nation'
The Scottish Government is facing renewed pressure over the release of the Lockerbie bomber following his damaging appearance on Libyan television.
- By David Clegg, political editor
- Published in the Courier : 28.07.11
- Published online : 28.07.11 @ 11.56am
Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was featured at a pro-government rally on Tuesday, almost two years after he was released from a Scottish prison on compassionate grounds.
Foreign secretary William Hague said the latest development confirmed that a "great mistake" was made in releasing him from jail.
Scottish justice secretary Kenny MacAskill has faced a barrage of criticism since freeing Megrahi in August 2009 after he had served only eight years of a 27-year sentence.
Megrahi had been diagnosed with terminal prostrate cancer and the SNP government accepted medical advice he had only three months to live.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Mr Hague said, "I think the appearance of Mr al-Megrahi on our television screens is a further reminder that a great mistake was made when he was released."
Referring to the television footage, he added, "It shows the medical advice it was based on was pretty much worthless. I think many people, particularly the families of those killed at Lockerbie, I think their anger and outrage at this release will be further intensified by what we have seen."
But a Scottish Government spokesman stood by the medical advice and said Holyrood's justice committee had examined "all relevant aspects" of Megrahi's release.
He said, "Al-Megrahi is dying of terminal prostate cancer and was released on compassionate grounds based on the recommendations of the parole board, the prison governor and the medical report of the Scottish Prison Service's most senior health professional.
"Our sole interest was taking a justice decision based on Scots law without fear or favour, which was exactly what was done."
Integrity
Turning to the issue of the medical advice, the spokesman added, "Instead of criticising a senior health professional, Mr Hague should understand that the medical advice to the justice secretary came from Dr Andrew Fraser, director of health and care of the Scottish Prison Service.
"Dr Fraser is a professional of impeccable integrity and he concluded that his clinical assessment was that a three-month prognosis was a reasonable estimate."
Professor Roger Kirby, a leading prostate surgeon and founder of the Prostate Centre, said, "I am not surprised that Mr Al-Megrahi is still alive as the decision to release him was based on flawed medical advice.
"It was always foolhardy to put a three-month prognosis on his survival, because advances in treatment, such as new chemotherapy and immunotherapy techniques that he is likely to be receiving, could keep him alive for a while yet, maybe even several more years.
"The silver lining to this story is that other patients with similarly advanced disease should not give up hope and should ask their doctor about the possibility of having these new treatments."
But opposition parties at Holyrood seized on the appearance, with Labour leader Iain Gray reiterating his demand the SNP government apologise for releasing the bomber.
"The sight of Megrahi, the single man convicted of the worst terrorist atrocity committed on Scottish soil, acting as a cheerleader for a dictator indicted for war crimes has turned the stomach of our nation and continues to be a massive embarrassment for the SNP government," he said.
Scottish Conservative justice spokesman John Lamont said, "The last thing relatives of the 270 people murdered by the Lockerbie bomber need to see is the sight of him alive and free, almost two years after he was released by the SNP government."
12.03pm - 28.07.2011 Andrew - Edinburgh, Scotland Report This
I find Scottish Labour trying to make political capital over this sickening.
02.31pm - 28.07.2011 Cory Campbell - Dundee, UK Report This
I guess Libya must simply have a better NHS then we do. Perhaps we should stop flying over bombs to Libya and fly over sick Scots for these life extending treatments they clearly have.
05.51pm - 28.07.2011 Charlie P - Dundee, Scotland UK Report This
Everyone knows that the SNP mucked up big time on this one. the sight of Scottish saltires being flown to greet this mass murderer will live long in infamy. Salmond was warned, yet he still knew better. Anything to grandstand. But if this was an example of an SNP seat at the top table, it failed.
09.07pm - 28.07.2011 Mike - Fife, Scotland Report This
More stomach churning than on his release. MacAskill and got their time in front of the cameras, but in doing so brought nothing but shame on the country they claimed to love.
01.32pm - 31.07.2011 Alexander - Montrose, Angus Report This
Westminster wanted Magrahi released, the criticism from Hague is pathetic, he is an embarrassment as foreign secretary. Why do you think Westminster is blocking, the release of all the documentation relating to this?
09.19pm - 01.08.2011 Rosey - Fife, Scotland Report This
@ Alexander If you care to remember, Alex Salmond cared not two hoots about what Westminster wanted, and wasn't slow to tell them. And as MacAskill stated, again and again, it was his decision. Sorry, but this one has the SNP's grubby paw marks all over it.
11.24pm - 01.08.2011 Goggs - Dundee, UK Report This
This decision will haunt Kenny Mac till the day he retires, or resigns, from office.
02.10pm - 02.08.2011 Alexander - Montrose, Angus Report This
Rosey, Westminster wanted Magrahi released via the prisoner transfer agreement set up by Tony Blair, the Scottish Government told them where to get off, and released Magrahi on compassionate grounds, all above board and Legal, whats grubby about that?
06.53pm - 02.08.2011 Rosey - Fife, Scotland Report This
@ Alexander Congratulations on being in a small minority who actually believe that. FYI, the compassionate grounds being that he was terminally I'll, the medical advice passed on by MacAskill being that it was OK, he'd be dead within 3 months, yet 2 years later he's still alive?
09.12am - 03.08.2011 Alexander - Montrose, Angus Report This
Rosey, its my understanding that, if Magrahi was to remain in prison and refused treatment for his terminal cancer he would have 3 months to live, are you questioning the integrity of the medical professionals who were dealing with this case?
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