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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Brown to face Lockerbie questions | Brown to face Lockerbie questions |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Gordon Brown is set to comment for the first time on the release of the only man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing. | Gordon Brown is set to comment for the first time on the release of the only man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing. |
| The prime minister will be asked about the decision to free Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds at a press conference later on Tuesday. | The prime minister will be asked about the decision to free Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds at a press conference later on Tuesday. |
| No 10 has repeatedly insisted that the controversial decision was a matter for the Scottish government. | No 10 has repeatedly insisted that the controversial decision was a matter for the Scottish government. |
| Opposition politicians have accused Mr Brown and the UK government as a whole of a "deafening silence" on the issue. | Opposition politicians have accused Mr Brown and the UK government as a whole of a "deafening silence" on the issue. |
| Criticism | Criticism |
| Mr Brown is expected to be asked about the decision at a press conference in Downing Street after talks with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu - his first official engagement since returning from holiday. | Mr Brown is expected to be asked about the decision at a press conference in Downing Street after talks with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu - his first official engagement since returning from holiday. |
| The BBC's political correspondent Ross Hawkins said he understood Mr Brown would address the issue but it was unlikely his comments would put an end to the matter. | The BBC's political correspondent Ross Hawkins said he understood Mr Brown would address the issue but it was unlikely his comments would put an end to the matter. |
| The Scottish National Party administration's decision to approve Megrahi's release - on the grounds that he is suffering from terminal cancer - has been condemned by the relatives of some Lockerbie victims and by politicians in Edinburgh, Westminster and Washington DC. | The Scottish National Party administration's decision to approve Megrahi's release - on the grounds that he is suffering from terminal cancer - has been condemned by the relatives of some Lockerbie victims and by politicians in Edinburgh, Westminster and Washington DC. |
| The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have urged Mr Brown to comment on the case, which they argue could do serious damage to relations between the UK and US. | The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have urged Mr Brown to comment on the case, which they argue could do serious damage to relations between the UK and US. |
| Tory leader David Cameron has said the decision was wrong and the public were entitled to know Mr Brown's views on a matter of "great public concern". | Tory leader David Cameron has said the decision was wrong and the public were entitled to know Mr Brown's views on a matter of "great public concern". |
| Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has said it is "absurd and damaging" that Mr Brown has yet to comment on the decision. | Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has said it is "absurd and damaging" that Mr Brown has yet to comment on the decision. |
| No 10 expressed its anger with the rapturous welcome Megrahi received on his return to Libya, after which he met the country's leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. | |
| British officials have revealed they wrote to the Libyan government urging him to be given a low-key reception. | British officials have revealed they wrote to the Libyan government urging him to be given a low-key reception. |
| Ministers have denied the decision to free Megrahi, who served seven years of his life sentence for the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am jet over Lockerbie, was linked to trade deals with Tripoli. | Ministers have denied the decision to free Megrahi, who served seven years of his life sentence for the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am jet over Lockerbie, was linked to trade deals with Tripoli. |
| The Scottish government has defended the decision, saying it was taken following thorough consultation and was in line with Scottish legal procedures and values. | The Scottish government has defended the decision, saying it was taken following thorough consultation and was in line with Scottish legal procedures and values. |