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Megrahi release 'right decision' | Megrahi release 'right decision' |
(4 days later) | |
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has said releasing the Lockerbie bomber was the "right decision", as criticism mounts from both sides of the Atlantic. | Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has said releasing the Lockerbie bomber was the "right decision", as criticism mounts from 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". |
Scotland's former first minister Jack McConnell has called it a "grave error of judgment". | Scotland's former first minister Jack McConnell has called it a "grave error of judgment". |
Mr Salmond said the release was correct within the Scottish system, adding: "We didn't do it to court popularity." | Mr Salmond said the release was correct within the Scottish system, adding: "We didn't do it to court popularity." |
Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill is due to make a statement and face questions on the case, when the Scottish Parliament is recalled a week early on Monday. | Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill is due to make a statement and face questions on the case, when the Scottish Parliament is recalled a week early on Monday. |
Mr Salmond told the BBC the release decision was made because "it was the right thing to do in terms of the Scottish justice system". | Mr Salmond told the BBC the release decision was made because "it was the right thing to do in terms of the Scottish justice system". |
He said Scotland had a "strong" and "enduring" relationship with the US, but it did not "depend on us always coming to agreement". | He said Scotland had a "strong" and "enduring" relationship with the US, but it did not "depend on us always coming to agreement". |
It's damaged the reputation of Scotland internationally Jack McConnell, former Scottish First Minister FBI boss attacks Megrahi release 'No business deal' over Megrahi Send us your comments | It's damaged the reputation of Scotland internationally Jack McConnell, former Scottish First Minister FBI boss attacks Megrahi release 'No business deal' over Megrahi Send us your comments |
"We understand the upset. We understand the disagreement. But we have to do what is right in terms of our legal system, that is what we are duty-bound to do," he said. | "We understand the upset. We understand the disagreement. But we have to do what is right in terms of our legal system, that is what we are duty-bound to do," he said. |
"No-one, I think, seriously believes that we made any other decision except for the right reasons," he added. | "No-one, I think, seriously believes that we made any other decision except for the right reasons," he added. |
Megrahi, 57 - who is terminally ill with prostate cancer - was freed last week by Mr MacAskill, on compassionate grounds. | Megrahi, 57 - who is terminally ill with prostate cancer - was freed last week by Mr MacAskill, on compassionate grounds. |
He was given a life sentence for killing 270 people in the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 bombing, and served 10 years before being released. | He was given a life sentence for killing 270 people in the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 bombing, and served 10 years before being released. |
The Libyan returned home to Tripoli to jubilant scenes that included people waving Scottish flags. | The Libyan returned home to Tripoli to jubilant scenes that included people waving Scottish flags. |
Brown silent | Brown silent |
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. |
"Much more significantly it's also damaged the reputation of Scotland internationally." | "Much more significantly it's also damaged the reputation of Scotland internationally." |
Meanwhile UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown is facing fresh calls to give his opinion on the Libyan's release. | Meanwhile UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown is facing fresh calls to give his opinion on the Libyan's release. |
On Saturday, Libyan TV showed pictures of Col Gaddafi meeting Megrahi and praising "my friend" Gordon Brown and the British government for what he said was 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 what he said was their part in securing his freedom. |
Jack McConnell said that the scenes in Libya had "damaged the reputation of Scotland" | Jack McConnell said that the scenes in Libya had "damaged the reputation of Scotland" |
Senior ministers have stressed the issue is a matter for the devolved Scottish Government alone. | Senior ministers have stressed the issue is a matter for the devolved Scottish Government alone. |
Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox told the BBC: "We know what David Cameron thinks about it... we know what the former and current first ministers of Scotland think, we know what everyone thinks except Gordon Brown. | Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox told the BBC: "We know what David Cameron thinks about it... we know what the former and current first ministers of Scotland think, we know what everyone thinks except Gordon Brown. |
"When the going gets tough, Gordon Brown disappears, it's the story of his political career." | "When the going gets tough, Gordon Brown disappears, it's the story of his political career." |
While no opinion has been issued by Mr Brown, the Scottish Government did seek legal advice from UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), ahead of the decision. | While no opinion has been issued by Mr Brown, the Scottish Government did seek legal advice from UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), ahead of the decision. |
The FCO advised that there was no legal barrier to transferring the prisoner, and minister Ivan Lewis wrote: "I hope on that basis you will now feel able to consider the Libyan application." | The FCO advised that there was no legal barrier to transferring the prisoner, and minister Ivan Lewis wrote: "I hope on that basis you will now feel able to consider the Libyan application." |
But a FCO spokesman said it was "absolute rubbish" to suggest the letter had in any way provided encouragement to let Megrahi return to Libya. | But a FCO spokesman said it was "absolute rubbish" to suggest the letter had in any way provided encouragement to let Megrahi return to Libya. |
'Negotiating table' | 'Negotiating table' |
As the debate intensified, Libya rowed back on suggestions that Megrahi's repatriation was part of a trade deal with Britain. | As the debate intensified, Libya 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 trade talks, but his spokesman said the comments had been taken out of context. | 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. |
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson dismissed suggestions of a deal as "offensive". | Business Secretary Lord Mandelson dismissed suggestions of a deal as "offensive". |
In a scathing letter to Mr MacAskill, chief of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation Robert Mueller said the action made a "mockery of the rule of law" and "gave comfort to terrorists". | In a scathing letter to Mr MacAskill, chief of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation Robert Mueller said the action made a "mockery of the rule of law" and "gave comfort to terrorists". |
Mr Mueller - who played a key role in investigating the 1988 atrocity - said: "Your action in releasing Megrahi is as inexplicable as it is detrimental to the cause of justice." | Mr Mueller - who played a key role in investigating the 1988 atrocity - said: "Your action in releasing Megrahi is as inexplicable as it is detrimental to the cause of justice." |
The devolved Scottish Government can make decisions on Scottish justice independent of Westminster, but foreign affairs for the whole of Britain are still dealt with by the UK government. | The devolved Scottish Government can make decisions on Scottish justice independent of Westminster, but foreign affairs for the whole of Britain are still dealt with by the UK government. |