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/8202959.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bomber 'release' resignation call Bomber 'release' resignation call
(10 minutes later)
A leading Scottish QC has called on the justice secretary to resign over the handling of the possible release of the Lockerbie bomber.A leading Scottish QC has called on the justice secretary to resign over the handling of the possible release of the Lockerbie bomber.
Kenny MacAskill is expected to announce that Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi will be released on compassionate grounds.Kenny MacAskill is expected to announce that Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi will be released on compassionate grounds.
But Paul McBride, who advises the Tory party on law and order, said Mr MacAskill should have recalled Parliament to discuss the matter.But Paul McBride, who advises the Tory party on law and order, said Mr MacAskill should have recalled Parliament to discuss the matter.
Mr McBride said cancer sufferer Megrahi was being feted like a celebrity.Mr McBride said cancer sufferer Megrahi was being feted like a celebrity.
Megrahi is the only person to be convicted over the 1988 bombing which claimed 270 lives. The 57-year-old is the only person to be convicted over the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which claimed 270 lives.
The QC described the manner in which his possible release was being discussed as "beyond shameful".The QC described the manner in which his possible release was being discussed as "beyond shameful".
The convicted mass murderer was being given extraordinary, special treatment with decisions about his fate being made in secrecy, he said.The convicted mass murderer was being given extraordinary, special treatment with decisions about his fate being made in secrecy, he said.
Paul McBride QC said Megrahi would be given a hero's welcome in LibyaPaul McBride QC said Megrahi would be given a hero's welcome in Libya
He told BBC Scotland he was angry that Mr MacAskill visited Megrahi in jail and said other prisoners do not get that right.He told BBC Scotland he was angry that Mr MacAskill visited Megrahi in jail and said other prisoners do not get that right.
Mr McBride said the issue had made Scotland "look stupid and a worldwide laughing stock", and called for Westminster to become involved in the discussions.Mr McBride said the issue had made Scotland "look stupid and a worldwide laughing stock", and called for Westminster to become involved in the discussions.
Meanwhile, reacting to the news that the Libyan had applied to abandon his appeal against his conviction, the former Labour MP Tam Dalyell, who has long argued Megrahi's innocence, said: "The last time I saw him was in Greenock prison.Meanwhile, reacting to the news that the Libyan had applied to abandon his appeal against his conviction, the former Labour MP Tam Dalyell, who has long argued Megrahi's innocence, said: "The last time I saw him was in Greenock prison.
"He said rather movingly to me that he was desperate to go back to Tripoli to see his family grow up."He said rather movingly to me that he was desperate to go back to Tripoli to see his family grow up.
"But he wanted to go back as an innocent man."But he wanted to go back as an innocent man.
"If he abandons his appeal, it means that Lockerbie will be one of those mysteries like the assassination of President Kennedy that will remain unsolved for a long time - possibly forever.""If he abandons his appeal, it means that Lockerbie will be one of those mysteries like the assassination of President Kennedy that will remain unsolved for a long time - possibly forever."
Megrahi was convicted of murder in 2001 at a trial held under Scottish law in the Netherlands.
A first appeal against that verdict was rejected the following year.
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.
The Scottish Government has said no decision had yet been taken on Megrahi's future and insisted no pressure had been put on him to abandon his appeal.The Scottish Government has said no decision had yet been taken on Megrahi's future and insisted no pressure had been put on him to abandon his appeal.