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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Bomber ruling 'within two weeks' | Bomber ruling 'within two weeks' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Scottish Government will deliver a decision on the fate of the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing within the next two weeks. | The Scottish Government will deliver a decision on the fate of the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing within the next two weeks. |
| A spokeswoman said Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill had only received final submissions and advice on Friday. | A spokeswoman said Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill had only received final submissions and advice on Friday. |
| He is due to decide whether Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi can be freed or allowed to serve out his jail term in Libya. | He is due to decide whether Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi can be freed or allowed to serve out his jail term in Libya. |
| Political pressure has been mounting for an urgent statement on the issue to be made to the Scottish Parliament. | Political pressure has been mounting for an urgent statement on the issue to be made to the Scottish Parliament. |
| Megrahi, who has terminal prostate cancer, has applied for either release on compassionate grounds or a transfer to a Libyan jail. | Megrahi, who has terminal prostate cancer, has applied for either release on compassionate grounds or a transfer to a Libyan jail. |
| An application was lodged last week to drop his appeal against conviction, a move which could clear the way for the second course of action. | An application was lodged last week to drop his appeal against conviction, a move which could clear the way for the second course of action. |
| There have also been reports that the Scottish Government intends to release him due to his health problems. | There have also been reports that the Scottish Government intends to release him due to his health problems. |
| We are hoping to have it as soon as possible - certainly within the next couple of weeks Scottish Government spokeswoman | We are hoping to have it as soon as possible - certainly within the next couple of weeks Scottish Government spokeswoman |
| However, it has consistently denied that Mr MacAskill had reached any verdict. | However, it has consistently denied that Mr MacAskill had reached any verdict. |
| A spokeswoman said: "He will make an announcement as soon as possible. | A spokeswoman said: "He will make an announcement as soon as possible. |
| "No date has been set for that announcement because he hasn't reached a decision and that is still the position. | "No date has been set for that announcement because he hasn't reached a decision and that is still the position. |
| "We are hoping to have it as soon as possible - certainly within the next couple of weeks." | "We are hoping to have it as soon as possible - certainly within the next couple of weeks." |
| Labour's Scottish justice spokesman Richard Baker has called for "due consideration" to be given to recalling the Scottish Parliament for a statement on the subject. | Labour's Scottish justice spokesman Richard Baker has called for "due consideration" to be given to recalling the Scottish Parliament for a statement on the subject. |
| Scottish Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott is also backing such a move. | Scottish Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott is also backing such a move. |
| "I've spoken this morning to the presiding officer asking for a recall of parliament, I hope he'll consider that," he said. | "I've spoken this morning to the presiding officer asking for a recall of parliament, I hope he'll consider that," he said. |
| "But I do think it's very important that MSPs have an opportunity to ask the first minister what in heaven's name he's doing?" | "But I do think it's very important that MSPs have an opportunity to ask the first minister what in heaven's name he's doing?" |
| He said the issue was being "very incompetently handled". | He said the issue was being "very incompetently handled". |
| Scottish Tory justice spokesman Bill Aitken said an immediate decision needed to be taken on Megrahi's future. | |
| He added: "When it is, the First Minister must recall the Scottish Parliament to justify his actions." | |
| 'Under pressure' | 'Under pressure' |
| Last week the BBC reported that it understood Megrahi would soon be released on compassionate grounds. | Last week the BBC reported that it understood Megrahi would soon be released on compassionate grounds. |
| This prompted a mixed reaction from relatives and renewed political opposition from the US. | This prompted a mixed reaction from relatives and renewed political opposition from the US. |
| It was subsequently revealed that the Libyan had applied to drop his second appeal against his conviction. | It was subsequently revealed that the Libyan had applied to drop his second appeal against his conviction. |
| That led to claims that Megrahi had been put under pressure to abandon his efforts to clear his name. | That led to claims that Megrahi had been put under pressure to abandon his efforts to clear his name. |
| A court hearing will take place in Edinburgh on Tuesday into his application to drop his appeal. | A court hearing will take place in Edinburgh on Tuesday into his application to drop his appeal. |
| If that takes place, it would remove one potential obstacle to his transfer to a prison in Libya. | If that takes place, it would remove one potential obstacle to his transfer to a prison in Libya. |
| Megrahi is currently serving a life sentence with a minimum of 27 years after being convicted in 2001 of the 1988 bombing which killed 270 people. | Megrahi is currently serving a life sentence with a minimum of 27 years after being convicted in 2001 of the 1988 bombing which killed 270 people. |