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'No meetings' over bomber release 'Deep unease' over bomber release
(about 3 hours later)
The Scottish Government has said it has held "no recent meetings" with Libyan authorities over the possible return of the Lockerbie bomber to his homeland. First Minister Alex Salmond has been told there would be "deep unease" if the decision was taken to release the Lockerbie bomber from a Scottish jail.
It follows reports that senior Holyrood civil servants had met a delegation from Tripoli to discuss the matter. It follows reports that senior Holyrood civil servants had met a delegation from Libya to discuss the matter.
The Herald said secret talks were being held which could see Abdelbaset al-Megrahi transferred from Greenock. Tory leader Annabel Goldie said the fate of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was a "very serious issue".
Mr Salmond said that officials had not met since November and information provided had been "purely factual".
The Herald reported secret talks were being held which could see the Libyan transferred from prison in Greenock to his homeland.
Is the first minister minded to release a convicted terrorist back to their home country before they have served their full sentence? Annabel GoldieTory leader
Megrahi - who has advanced prostate cancer - is currently appealing against his conviction for the 1988 atrocity.Megrahi - who has advanced prostate cancer - is currently appealing against his conviction for the 1988 atrocity.
Newspaper reports suggested a diplomatic deal might see him drop his appeal and be transferred to Libya. Miss Goldie questioned Mr Salmond's stance on his possible release during first minister's questions.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said talks had not taken place. "We do need to know the position of this Scottish Government," she said.
She said: "There have been no recent meetings between Scottish Government officials and representatives of the Libyan government. "Is the first minister minded to release a convicted terrorist back to their home country before they have served their full sentence?
"However, if Libyan officials were to seek further meetings for factual information, we would be happy to provide that." "Does the first minister recognise that there would be widespread and deep unease if any convicted terrorist prisoner were allowed to leave Scotland prior to completion of their sentence?"
Mr Salmond confirmed that officials had met last year.
"Yes, it is true that Scottish Government officials met Libyan officials at the request of the Libyan government in October and November, as indeed, I believe, UK Government officials did as well," he said.
Prejudge decisions
He said the information provided was "purely factual" about the Scottish judicial processes for conditional release, compassionate release and prisoner transfer agreements.
He stressed that he could not prejudge any decisions the government might be asked to make in future.
Megrahi, 56, was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in September.Megrahi, 56, was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in September.
A campaign has since been launched for him to be released on compassionate grounds.A campaign has since been launched for him to be released on compassionate grounds.
His appeal against his conviction for the bombing in which 270 people were killed is expected to begin later this year.His appeal against his conviction for the bombing in which 270 people were killed is expected to begin later this year.