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Minister defends Lockerbie advice Minister defends Lockerbie advice
(20 minutes later)
Scotland's justice secretary has defended the quality and range of medical advice he received before his decision to free the Lockerbie bomber.Scotland's justice secretary has defended the quality and range of medical advice he received before his decision to free the Lockerbie bomber.
Kenny MacAskill released Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, on compassionate grounds - a move criticised by some victims' families.Kenny MacAskill released Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, on compassionate grounds - a move criticised by some victims' families.
Opposition MSPs have questioned whether he consulted appropriate specialists.Opposition MSPs have questioned whether he consulted appropriate specialists.
But Mr MacAskill told BBC Scotland that numerous prostate cancer specialists and consultants were involved.But Mr MacAskill told BBC Scotland that numerous prostate cancer specialists and consultants were involved.
Dr Richard Simpson, the Scottish Labour Party's health spokesman, has raised concerns that there was no cancer specialist involved in the decision-making process.Dr Richard Simpson, the Scottish Labour Party's health spokesman, has raised concerns that there was no cancer specialist involved in the decision-making process.
But the minister said: "In terms of medical reports, I received a clear report from the director of health and social care at the Scottish Prison Service.But the minister said: "In terms of medical reports, I received a clear report from the director of health and social care at the Scottish Prison Service.
There were numerous prostate cancer specialists, very many consultants Kenny MacAskillJustice SecretaryThere were numerous prostate cancer specialists, very many consultants Kenny MacAskillJustice Secretary
"Whatever Dr Simpson may suggest, this wasn't done on the whim and fancy by the director of health and social care."Whatever Dr Simpson may suggest, this wasn't done on the whim and fancy by the director of health and social care.
"It was done on the clear information and evidence - not simply his own professional expertise, but following the advice and information available to him from consultants who'd been dealing with Mr al-Megrahi during the course of his illness."It was done on the clear information and evidence - not simply his own professional expertise, but following the advice and information available to him from consultants who'd been dealing with Mr al-Megrahi during the course of his illness.
"There were numerous prostate cancer specialists, very many consultants.""There were numerous prostate cancer specialists, very many consultants."
It said it was "rather demeaning" for opposition MSPs to be "seeking to undermine the information provided by such a highly qualified medical professional".It said it was "rather demeaning" for opposition MSPs to be "seeking to undermine the information provided by such a highly qualified medical professional".
Megrahi was freed on 20 August after serving eight years of a life sentence for the 1988 bombing.Megrahi was freed on 20 August after serving eight years of a life sentence for the 1988 bombing.
A total of 270 people died when Pan Am flight 103 exploded over the town of Lockerbie in southern Scotland.A total of 270 people died when Pan Am flight 103 exploded over the town of Lockerbie in southern Scotland.
The decision to release Megrahi, who was greeted with a hero's welcome when he arrived back in Libya, has divided opinion.The decision to release Megrahi, who was greeted with a hero's welcome when he arrived back in Libya, has divided opinion.
Mr MacAskill's decision provoked anger across the Atlantic
It has been condemned by President Barack Obama, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and some of the families of American victims.
The director of the FBI, Robert Mueller, described the move as "making a mockery of justice" and one which gave "comfort to terrorists".
However, Mr MacAskill's decision received backing from Nelson Mandela, former First Minister Henry McLeish and the former lord advocate of Scotland, Lord Fraser of Carmyllie QC, who launched the case against Megrahi.
Meanwhile, the UK Justice Secretary Jack Straw described reports that the bomber was released over an oil deal as "wholly untrue".
He denied a "back door deal" was done to transfer Megrahi because of UK trade talks with the Libyan government.
'No pressure'
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's deputy first minister, said it was no secret that the UK government had negotiated a prisoner transfer agreement with Libya.
She told the BBC's Today programme: "To be frank, I don't know what deals the UK government did or tried to do in the context of that agreement.
"It's certainly the case that al-Megrahi was not excluded from that agreement.
"What I do know, and can state categorically, as Kenny MacAskill and Alex Salmond have both done, is that these deals - if such deals existed - played no part whatsoever in the decision Kenny MacAskill took to release al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds."
She also insisted that Megrahi's decision to drop his appeal played no part in Mr MacAskill's decision.
"There was no pressure put on him by the Scottish government and the Scottish government had no influence in that decision," she said.
"In many respects the Scottish Government would have preferred the appeal to continue."