This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/8201188.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Lockerbie bomber withdraws appeal Lockerbie bomber withdraws appeal
(40 minutes later)
The man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing has applied to abandon his second appeal against his conviction, his lawyers have said.The man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing has applied to abandon his second appeal against his conviction, his lawyers have said.
The news comes after the BBC reported that Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi looked set to be freed on compassionate grounds next week.The news comes after the BBC reported that Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi looked set to be freed on compassionate grounds next week.
The Libyan, who has terminal cancer, is serving a life sentence for the murder of 270 people in December 1988.The Libyan, who has terminal cancer, is serving a life sentence for the murder of 270 people in December 1988.
Lawyers said his condition had taken a "significant turn for the worse".Lawyers said his condition had taken a "significant turn for the worse".
The Scottish Government insisted that the move was unconnected to any decision it would make about transferring Megrahi to Libya or releasing him on compassionate grounds.The Scottish Government insisted that the move was unconnected to any decision it would make about transferring Megrahi to Libya or releasing him on compassionate grounds.
A prisoner transfer cannot take place if criminal proceedings are active.A prisoner transfer cannot take place if criminal proceedings are active.
However, the appeal does not need to be dropped to allow his release on compassionate grounds.
Megrahi's lawyers said he had applied to the High Court in Edinburgh two days ago to abandon his appeal against conviction.Megrahi's lawyers said he had applied to the High Court in Edinburgh two days ago to abandon his appeal against conviction.
A spokesman for the legal firm Taylor and Kelly said: "As the appeal hearing has commenced... leave of the court is required before the appeal can be formally abandoned."A spokesman for the legal firm Taylor and Kelly said: "As the appeal hearing has commenced... leave of the court is required before the appeal can be formally abandoned."
I know from the lengthy discussions I had with him that he was desperate to clear his name, so I believe that the decision is not entirely his own Christine Grahame MSPI know from the lengthy discussions I had with him that he was desperate to clear his name, so I believe that the decision is not entirely his own Christine Grahame MSP
A court hearing to discuss the application will take place in Edinburgh next Tuesday.A court hearing to discuss the application will take place in Edinburgh next Tuesday.
South of Scotland SNP MSP Christine Grahame, who has met Megrahi several times in prison, said she believed he had been put under pressure to drop his appeal.South of Scotland SNP MSP Christine Grahame, who has met Megrahi several times in prison, said she believed he had been put under pressure to drop his appeal.
She said: "I know from the lengthy discussions I had with him that he was desperate to clear his name, so I believe that the decision is not entirely his own.She said: "I know from the lengthy discussions I had with him that he was desperate to clear his name, so I believe that the decision is not entirely his own.
"There are a number of vested interests who have been deeply opposed to this appeal continuing as they know it would go a considerable way towards exposing the truth behind Lockerbie."There are a number of vested interests who have been deeply opposed to this appeal continuing as they know it would go a considerable way towards exposing the truth behind Lockerbie.
"Some serious scrutiny will be required to determine exactly why Mr Megrahi is now dropping his appeal and examination of what pressure he has come under.""Some serious scrutiny will be required to determine exactly why Mr Megrahi is now dropping his appeal and examination of what pressure he has come under."
She renewed her calls for a full public inquiry into the bombing.She renewed her calls for a full public inquiry into the bombing.
'Cloak and dagger''Cloak and dagger'
She added: "In the next days, weeks and months new information will be placed in the public domain that will make it clear that Mr Megrahi had nothing to do with the bombing of Pan Am 103."She added: "In the next days, weeks and months new information will be placed in the public domain that will make it clear that Mr Megrahi had nothing to do with the bombing of Pan Am 103."
Conservative justice spokesman Bill Aitken said clarity was needed from the Scottish Government.Conservative justice spokesman Bill Aitken said clarity was needed from the Scottish Government.
"Too much of this story has been characterised by secret briefings, hints of special deals and international cloak and dagger," he said."Too much of this story has been characterised by secret briefings, hints of special deals and international cloak and dagger," he said.
"The Lockerbie atrocity cannot descend into this kind of diplomacy by spin and stealth.""The Lockerbie atrocity cannot descend into this kind of diplomacy by spin and stealth."
He said there needed to be "compelling medical evidence of extreme ill health" before any release on compassionate grounds.He said there needed to be "compelling medical evidence of extreme ill health" before any release on compassionate grounds.
It emerged on Wednesday that Megrahi could be released on such grounds by the end of next week.It emerged on Wednesday that Megrahi could be released on such grounds by the end of next week.
That prompted a mixed response from families of victims of the bombing.That prompted a mixed response from families of victims of the bombing.
'Right thing''Right thing'
Kathleen Flynn, whose son was killed, said he should "never qualify for anything compassionate".Kathleen Flynn, whose son was killed, said he should "never qualify for anything compassionate".
However, Martin Cadman, who also lost his son, said he believed it was the "right thing to do".However, Martin Cadman, who also lost his son, said he believed it was the "right thing to do".
The Scottish Government has insisted that no decision has yet been made on the Libyan's fate.The Scottish Government has insisted that no decision has yet been made on the Libyan's fate.
Megrahi was convicted of murder in January 2001 at a trial held under Scottish law in the Netherlands.Megrahi was convicted of murder in January 2001 at a trial held under Scottish law in the Netherlands.
A first appeal against that verdict was rejected the following year.A first appeal against that verdict was rejected the following year.
However, in 2007 the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission granted him a second appeal.However, in 2007 the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission granted him a second appeal.
It subsequently emerged he was suffering from terminal cancer but a bid to have him granted bail was refused.It subsequently emerged he was suffering from terminal cancer but a bid to have him granted bail was refused.
His second appeal got under way this year but shortly afterwards applications were made for both his transfer to a Libyan jail and release on compassionate grounds.His second appeal got under way this year but shortly afterwards applications were made for both his transfer to a Libyan jail and release on compassionate grounds.