Scottish Conservatives say second anniversary of Lockerbie bomber's release should be marked with an apology
The Scottish Conservatives have launched a fresh attack on the SNP over the release of the Lockerbie bomber.
Controversy has raged ever since Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill's decision to release Abdelbaset al-Megrahi.
- By David Clegg, political editor
- Published in the Courier : 19.08.11
- Published online : 19.08.11 @ 12.25pm
Saturday is the second anniversary of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi returning to Libya after being released on compassionate grounds by the Scottish Government.
Megrahi, the only man to be convicted of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988, which killed 270 people, is suffering from prostate cancer. The decision to release him was taken after experts said he had three months to live.
His release sparked outrage in the US and there have been calls for his medical records to be released.
An official review found the UK Government, then under Labour, did "all it could" to help release Megrahi to secure a BP oil deal and strengthen political ties with Libya.
John Lamont, Scottish Conservative justice spokesman, said it was "time for an apology."
"When Alex Salmond's government took the decision to release Megrahi it was not done in the name of Scotland, or in the name of the Scottish Parliament," he said. "Many in Scotland must today feel that the Scottish people have been let down by two Governments — Alex Salmond's at Holyrood and Gordon Brown's at Westminster. The last UK Labour government bent over backwards to get Megrahi set free.
"The suspicion lingers that this was not a decision based on facts but that facts were found to fit a decision already taken and leaked to the Libyans. This was nudge and wink diplomacy by Gordon Brown and Alex Salmond."
A spokesman for the Scottish Government accused the Tories of "hypocrisy".
He said: "The Justice Secretary released Al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds and compassionate grounds alone, based on the rules and regulations of Scots law and the recommendations of the Parole Board for Scotland, the prison governor, and the report of the Scottish Prison Service director of health and care Dr Andrew Fraser, all of which have been published.
"The decision was made following the due process of Scots law, and the fact remains that Al-Megrahi has a terminal illness and is dying of prostate cancer."
03.11pm - 19.08.2011 Kim W. - Dundee/Glasgow, Scotland Report This
Two years on and the mass murderer remains alive. Ignoring meeting the US relatives gave suspicion to MacAskill's plan to release megrahi. Using a non-cancer expert to justify his decision was the height of arrogance. Saltires on the Tripoli tarmac? An apology isn't enough.
09.21pm - 19.08.2011 David Robertson - Perth, Scotland Report This
There is a report that Mr. Megrahi has been given treatment in Libya that is not available in Scotland. This has no doubt given him extra time to spend with his family. Since his conviction was probably unsafe in any event I believe Mr MacAskill made the right decision. I was pleased he did.
10.15am - 20.08.2011 Alexander - Montrose, Angus Report This
Its time for Westminster to come clean, and allow the release of all documentation relating to this issue. What have they got to lose?
01.56pm - 20.08.2011 Graeme - Kirkcaldy, Kingdom of Fife Report This
Is Ronnie Biggs still alive? That the Tories are complaining that MacAskill followed the law that they themselves passed is political hypocrisy of the sort that all the Westminster parties employ with monotonous regularity. Take the rioters blamed for loss of moral compass; MP's expenses, anyone?
05.56pm - 20.08.2011 H.R. - Dundee, United Kingdom Report This
@ David Yes, the extra time he can spend with his family is good, what a pity that has been denied to those he murdered.
06.38pm - 21.08.2011 John W. - Dundee, city of, U.K. Report This
Shame on you Kenny MacAskill, shame.
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