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Minister visits Lockerbie bomber Minister visits Lockerbie bomber
(about 9 hours later)
Scotland's justice secretary is to visit the Lockerbie bomber later amid speculation he might be moved to Libya.Scotland's justice secretary is to visit the Lockerbie bomber later amid speculation he might be moved to Libya.
Kenny MacAskill will meet Abdelbasset Ali al-Megrahi in Greenock Prison as he considers a transfer request from the Libyan government.Kenny MacAskill will meet Abdelbasset Ali al-Megrahi in Greenock Prison as he considers a transfer request from the Libyan government.
The minister has already heard the views of others, including relatives of some of the 270 victims of the December 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.The minister has already heard the views of others, including relatives of some of the 270 victims of the December 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.
Terminally-ill Megrahi has also asked to be freed on compassionate grounds.Terminally-ill Megrahi has also asked to be freed on compassionate grounds.
The transfer request was made by Libya to the UK Government last May, less than a week after a treaty allowing prisoners to be transferred between the two countries was ratified. The transfer request was made by Libya to the UK government last May, less than a week after a treaty allowing prisoners to be transferred between the two countries was ratified.
Missed deadlineMissed deadline
Under the agreement the country holding a prisoner should give its answer within 90 days.Under the agreement the country holding a prisoner should give its answer within 90 days.
Decisions about prisoners are the responsibility of the Scottish Government, in effect giving Mr MacAskill the final say.Decisions about prisoners are the responsibility of the Scottish Government, in effect giving Mr MacAskill the final say.
Mr MacAskill said last week he would miss the 90-day deadline, which expired on 3 August, because he was waiting for more information.Mr MacAskill said last week he would miss the 90-day deadline, which expired on 3 August, because he was waiting for more information.
No transfer can take place if criminal proceedings are active, meaning Megrahi would have to drop his latest appeal against his conviction in order to be sent home.No transfer can take place if criminal proceedings are active, meaning Megrahi would have to drop his latest appeal against his conviction in order to be sent home.
He was ordered to remain in prison for a minimum of 27 years having been found guilty of murdering 270 people in the bombing of Pan-Am Flight 103.He was ordered to remain in prison for a minimum of 27 years having been found guilty of murdering 270 people in the bombing of Pan-Am Flight 103.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill is expected to make his decision shortlyJustice Secretary Kenny MacAskill is expected to make his decision shortly
Mr MacAskill has embarked upon a series of consultations with interested parties, including relatives of American victims with whom he held a video conference.Mr MacAskill has embarked upon a series of consultations with interested parties, including relatives of American victims with whom he held a video conference.
While unusual for a minister to discuss a prisoner's case with him while he remains in jail, Mr MacAskill is understood to believe the visit is important to allow him to consider all of the facts.While unusual for a minister to discuss a prisoner's case with him while he remains in jail, Mr MacAskill is understood to believe the visit is important to allow him to consider all of the facts.
Megrahi's legal team have also made a separate request for him to released from prison on compassionate grounds as he is suffering from terminal prostate cancer.Megrahi's legal team have also made a separate request for him to released from prison on compassionate grounds as he is suffering from terminal prostate cancer.
A similar request, made in October 2008, was rejected by Appeal Court judges after they heard medical evidence that with adequate palliative care, Megrahi could live for several years. An earlier request, made in October 2008, was rejected by Appeal Court judges after they heard medical evidence that with adequate palliative care, Megrahi could live for several years.
The court heard that such requests are normally only granted where a prisoner has less than three months to live.The court heard that such requests are normally only granted where a prisoner has less than three months to live.