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/uk/8216589.stm

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

Version 6 Version 7
Ministers defend Megrahi release Megrahi release 'right decision'
(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. 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 said it was a "grave error of judgment". Scotland's former first minister Jack McConnell has called it a "grave error of judgment".
But First Minister Alex Salmond said releasing Megrahi on compassionate grounds was the "right decision". Mr Salmond said the release was correct within the Scottish system, adding: "We didn't do it to court popularity."
"We did it because it was the right thing to do in terms of the Scottish justice system," he told the BBC.
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
"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.
Your action gives comfort to terrorists around the world Robert Mueller class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8216122.stm">FBI boss attacks Megrahi release class="" href="/2/hi/africa/8215920.stm">'No business deal' over Megrahi class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=6897">Send us your comments Megrahi, 57 - who is terminally ill with prostate cancer - was freed last week by Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, on compassionate grounds.
Megrahi, 57, who is terminally ill with prostate cancer, was freed by Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill after serving eight years of a life sentence. The prisoner - who had served ten years of a life sentence for killing 270 people in the 1988 Pan Am bombing - returned home to Libya to jubilant scenes that included people waving Scottish flags.
He returned home to Libya to jubilant scenes that included people waving Scottish flags. Brown silent
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 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".
Opposition pressure
The Scottish Government said Mr 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".
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".
Mr Mueller is a former prosecutor who played a key role in investigating the 1988 Lockerbie bombing which killed 270 people.
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."
Jack McConnell said that the scenes in Libya had "damaged the reputation of Scotland"
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.
"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 MacAskill will face questions from his peers when the Scottish Parliament is recalled a week early on Monday.
'Need to clarify'
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." "Much more significantly it's also damaged the reputation of Scotland internationally."
Meanwhile 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.
The prime minister has yet to make a public comment, with senior ministers stressing it was a matter for the devolved Scottish Government alone. 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.
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, it's anything but leadership." "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.
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.
'Negotiating table'
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.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson dismissed suggestions of a deal as "offensive"
The Scottish Government said Mr 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".
Its defence 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".
Mr Mueller is a former prosecutor who played a key role in investigating the 1988 atrocity.
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."
Mr MacAskill will face questions from his peers when the Scottish Parliament is recalled a week early on Monday.
Since devolution in 1999 the 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.Since devolution in 1999 the 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.