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MSPs to debate bomber's release MSPs to debate bomber's release
(about 2 hours later)
The Scottish Government is facing likely defeat later in a Holyrood debate over its handling of the case of the terminally ill Lockerbie bomber.The Scottish Government is facing likely defeat later in a Holyrood debate over its handling of the case of the terminally ill Lockerbie bomber.
Opposition MSPs are expected to join forces to defeat a government motion backing the release of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds.Opposition MSPs are expected to join forces to defeat a government motion backing the release of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds.
But the move would fall short of a vote of no confidence in SNP ministers.But the move would fall short of a vote of no confidence in SNP ministers.
The debate comes a day after ministers in London and Edinburgh released a series of documents on the case.The debate comes a day after ministers in London and Edinburgh released a series of documents on the case.
PressurePressure
They have put further pressure on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to explain his position after documents indicated Libyan officials said they had been told he did not want to see Megrahi, who has cancer, die in prison. They have put further pressure on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to explain his position after documents indicated Libyan officials had been told he did not want to see Megrahi, who has cancer, die in prison.
Labour is seeking to amend the Scottish Government motion at Holyrood which says that Megrahi's release was in line with prison service and parole board recommendations and consistent with the principles of Scottish justice.Labour is seeking to amend the Scottish Government motion at Holyrood which says that Megrahi's release was in line with prison service and parole board recommendations and consistent with the principles of Scottish justice.
The Labour amendment states Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill mishandled the decision and damaged Scotland's reputation.The Labour amendment states Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill mishandled the decision and damaged Scotland's reputation.
It also says the minister should not have met Megrahi in prison while considering his case and that he failed to seek sufficient medical advice on the bomber's condition.It also says the minister should not have met Megrahi in prison while considering his case and that he failed to seek sufficient medical advice on the bomber's condition.
A Conservative amendment has raised concern Megrahi was not allowed to remain in Scotland, a move ruled out by ministers on police resourcing grounds.A Conservative amendment has raised concern Megrahi was not allowed to remain in Scotland, a move ruled out by ministers on police resourcing grounds.
The Liberal Democrats will argue the news of his release should have been announced to parliament, not at a news conference.The Liberal Democrats will argue the news of his release should have been announced to parliament, not at a news conference.
Divided opinionDivided opinion
One document released on Tuesday detailed a Libyan official saying that then Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell had told Tripoli that Gordon Brown and Foreign Secretary David Miliband did not want Megrahi to die in prison.One document released on Tuesday detailed a Libyan official saying that then Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell had told Tripoli that Gordon Brown and Foreign Secretary David Miliband did not want Megrahi to die in prison.
Mr Rammell later confirmed an exchange did take place, but insisted he had made it clear to the Libyans that the fate of Megrahi was entirely in the hands of Scottish ministers.Mr Rammell later confirmed an exchange did take place, but insisted he had made it clear to the Libyans that the fate of Megrahi was entirely in the hands of Scottish ministers.
He told the BBC he had said the UK government was not "actively seeking" Megrahi's death in prison but denied having discussed this at any point with Mr Brown.He told the BBC he had said the UK government was not "actively seeking" Megrahi's death in prison but denied having discussed this at any point with Mr Brown.
Megrahi served eight years of a life sentence for the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over the town of Lockerbie in December 1988.Megrahi served eight years of a life sentence for the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over the town of Lockerbie in December 1988.
His release last month has divided opinion at home and abroad and the controversy has prompted many Western leaders to stay away from celebrations in Libya this week to mark 40 years since the coup that brought Colonel Gaddafi to power.His release last month has divided opinion at home and abroad and the controversy has prompted many Western leaders to stay away from celebrations in Libya this week to mark 40 years since the coup that brought Colonel Gaddafi to power.