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Ministers defend Megrahi release Ministers defend Megrahi release
(about 2 hours later)
The Scottish government has defended its decision to release the Lockerbie bomber, amid mounting criticism on both sides of the Atlantic.The Scottish government has defended its decision to release the Lockerbie bomber, amid mounting criticism on both sides of the Atlantic.
It follows an attack by the head of the FBI, who said freeing Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi made a "mockery of justice".It follows an attack by the head of the FBI, who said freeing Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi made a "mockery of justice".
And Scotland's former first minister Jack McConnell said it was a "grave error of judgment".And Scotland's former first minister Jack McConnell said it was a "grave error of judgment".
Meanwhile, Libya has rowed back on suggestions that Megrahi's repatriation was part of a trade deal with Britain.Meanwhile, Libya has rowed back on suggestions that Megrahi's repatriation was part of a trade deal with Britain.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi, reportedly told a TV station that Megrahi's case was "always on the negotiating table" during talks with the UK on commercial contracts. Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi, reportedly told a TV station that Megrahi's case was "always on the negotiating table" during trade talks, but his spokesman said the comments had been taken out of context.
But his spokesman told the BBC the comments had been taken out of context and he had been referring to historic relations between Libya and Britain.
"There was no desire, there was no intention to link the release of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds with any other issue," said Youssef Sawani.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson dismissed suggestions of a deal as "offensive".Business Secretary Lord Mandelson dismissed suggestions of a deal as "offensive".
Your action gives comfort to terrorists around the world Robert Mueller FBI boss attacks Megrahi release 'No business deal' over Megrahi Send us your commentsYour action gives comfort to terrorists around the world Robert Mueller FBI boss attacks Megrahi release 'No business deal' over Megrahi Send us your comments
Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, was freed from Greenock Prison on Thursday to be allowed home to Libya to die. Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, was freed by the Scottish Government on compassionate grounds on Thursday.
Announcing the release, Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the country's justice system was based on both judgement and compassion. The Scottish Government said last night the Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill had reached his conclusions on the basis of Scotland's "due process, clear evidence, and the recommendations from the parole board and prison governor".
Megrahi flew back to jubilant scenes and senior figures have continued to visit the 57-year-old at his home in Tripoli. The comments came in response to a letter from Robert Mueller, chief of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, who said the action made a "mockery of the rule of law" and "gave comfort to terrorists".
Robert Mueller, chief of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, is a former prosecutor who played a key role in investigating the 1988 Lockerbie bombing which killed 270 people. Mr Mueller is a former prosecutor who played a key role in investigating the 1988 Lockerbie bombing which killed 270 people.
In a letter to Mr MacAskill, he said: "Your action in releasing Megrahi is as inexplicable as it is detrimental to the cause of justice. In his letter to Mr MacAskill, he said: "Your action in releasing Megrahi is as inexplicable as it is detrimental to the cause of justice."
"Indeed your action makes a mockery of the rule of law. Your action gives comfort to terrorists around the world."
Opposition pressureOpposition pressure
The Scottish government last night responded to the letter, saying Mr MacAskill reached his conclusions on the basis of Scotland's "due process, clear evidence, and the recommendations from the parole board and prison governor". But in its statement, the Scottish government said: "The US authorities indicated although they were opposed to both prisoner transfer and compassionate release, they made it clear they regarded compassionate release as far preferable to the transfer agreement, and Mr Mueller should be aware of that.
"The US authorities indicated although they were opposed to both prisoner transfer and compassionate release, they made it clear they regarded compassionate release as far preferable to the transfer agreement, and Mr Mueller should be aware of that," said a spokesman.
Megrahi received a hero's welcome in Libya
"Mr Mueller was involved in the Lockerbie case, and therefore has strong views, but he should also be aware that while many families have opposed Mr MacAskill's decision many others have supported it.""Mr Mueller was involved in the Lockerbie case, and therefore has strong views, but he should also be aware that while many families have opposed Mr MacAskill's decision many others have supported it."
Megrahi received a hero's welcome in Libya
Mr MacAskill will face questions from his peers when the Scottish Parliament is recalled a week early on Monday.Mr MacAskill will face questions from his peers when the Scottish Parliament is recalled a week early on Monday.
Labour's Jack McConnell, who preceded the SNP's Alex Salmond, said it was up to the Scottish Parliament to take action to repair some of the "damage" caused by Megrahi's release.Labour's Jack McConnell, who preceded the SNP's Alex Salmond, said it was up to the Scottish Parliament to take action to repair some of the "damage" caused by Megrahi's release.
"The way in which the decision has been made and the decision itself have damaged the reputation of the Scottish justice system," he told the BBC."The way in which the decision has been made and the decision itself have damaged the reputation of the Scottish justice system," he told the BBC.
"It's damaged that reputation, but much more significantly it's also damaged the reputation of Scotland internationally.""It's damaged that reputation, but much more significantly it's also damaged the reputation of Scotland internationally."
Megrahi flew back to jubilant scenes and senior figures have continued to visit the 57-year-old at his home in Tripoli.
On Saturday, Libyan TV showed pictures of Col Gaddafi meeting Megrahi and praising "my friend" Gordon Brown and the British government for their part in securing his freedom.On Saturday, Libyan TV showed pictures of Col Gaddafi meeting Megrahi and praising "my friend" Gordon Brown and the British government for their part in securing his freedom.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the British government "urgently needs to clarify the approach that it took" to negotiations with Libya.Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the British government "urgently needs to clarify the approach that it took" to negotiations with Libya.
The prime minister has yet to make a public comment following the Libyan's release, with senior ministers stressing it was a matter for the devolved Scottish government alone.The prime minister has yet to make a public comment following the Libyan's release, with senior ministers stressing it was a matter for the devolved Scottish government alone.
The BBC's political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg said Mr Brown does not want to be dragged into the row but opposition leaders were determined to keep up the pressure for ministers to reveal who knew what and when.