Lockerbie still paper pre-occupation

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The papers are still pre-occupied by the storm surrounding the release of the Lockerbie bomber.

The Sunday Telegraph believes it has <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/6073631/Lockerbie-bomber-Lord-Mandelson-faces-new-questions-over-Libya-links.html">evidence linking Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi's release to trade with Libya.</a>

It claims to have a transcript of the conversation between the freed man and Saif al-Islam Gaddafi - the Libyan leader's son - as they flew home.

The Observer claims <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/aug/23/gordon-brown-letter-gaddafi-lockerbie">Gordon Brown discussed a possible release with the Libyan leader</a> at July's G8 summit.

'Pure deceit'

The Sunday Times claims it has seen a leaked report which points to <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6806498.ece">"endemic failures" in the way the MoD buys machinery and equipment.</a>

An angry editorial says the findings expose "as pure deceit" claims by Downing Street that the military has all the equipment required.

The Sunday Mirror says <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/">14,000 British wounded troops have claimed compensation</a> in the past four years.

About 300 of the worst hurt are now seeking greater assistance, it says.

Election hunt

It is the Conservatives who come under scrutiny in the Independent on Sunday.

Its front page is given over to the story the Tories are <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/how-the-tories-will-bring-back-hunting-1776160.html">set to bring back hunting, should they win the next general election.</a>

"The Final Insult" is how the Sunday Express views its main story that <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/122257/The-final-insult">taxpayers may have to underwrite final-salary pensions for bankers.</a>

It suggests any move to prop-up pension schemes at effectively state-owned banks could cost as much as a £1bn.

Hairy moments

For the Mail on Sunday, the lifestyle of General Sir Richard Dannatt seems to provide a welcome contrast to the world of banking and MPs expenses.

The paper reports how the <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1208413/Anatomy-smear-General-Dannatt-claimed-19-291--Bob-Ainsworth-claimed-394-306.html">head of the Army had never gone over £14 a head when entertaining VIPs.</a>

It also has a story about <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1208430/Another-glorious-gaffe-Duke-Edinburgh-remarks-You-didnt-design-beard-did-.html">another of Prince Phillip's hairy moments</a> which took place at a recent garden party.

He apparently told one of the guests, a designer: "Well you didn't design your beard too well, did you?"