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| US 'given bomber jail assurance' | US 'given bomber jail assurance' |
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| The US had a clear understanding that the Lockerbie bomber would serve his full jail term in the UK, a former British ambassador has said. | The US had a clear understanding that the Lockerbie bomber would serve his full jail term in the UK, a former British ambassador has said. |
| Sir Christopher Meyer was speaking to the BBC about his time as ambassador in Washington during the 1998 negotiations over Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi's trial. | Sir Christopher Meyer was speaking to the BBC about his time as ambassador in Washington during the 1998 negotiations over Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi's trial. |
| He said there was a "clear political and diplomatic understanding" Megrahi would remain in jail in Scotland. | He said there was a "clear political and diplomatic understanding" Megrahi would remain in jail in Scotland. |
| The Foreign Office said it made clear Megrahi would be subject to Scots law. | |
| Terminlly-ill Megrahi, 57, was jailed in 2001 for the atrocity which claimed 270 lives in 1988 - but released last month on compassionate grounds. | |
| One thing I do remember very, very clearly was that it was very important to them [the US] to get a commitment out of us Sir Christopher MeyerFormer British ambassador to the US | One thing I do remember very, very clearly was that it was very important to them [the US] to get a commitment out of us Sir Christopher MeyerFormer British ambassador to the US |
| His release by the Scottish Government came against strong opposition from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and brought scathing criticism from FBI Director Robert Mueller. | His release by the Scottish Government came against strong opposition from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and brought scathing criticism from FBI Director Robert Mueller. |
| Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said Hilary Clinton had stressed to him that there was a "clear understanding" that Megrahi would serve out his term in jail in Scotland if convicted. | Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said Hilary Clinton had stressed to him that there was a "clear understanding" that Megrahi would serve out his term in jail in Scotland if convicted. |
| Mr MacAskill said he contacted the UK government and they informed him that no assurances had been given to the US government at the time. | Mr MacAskill said he contacted the UK government and they informed him that no assurances had been given to the US government at the time. |
| Outlining his decision to free Megrahi last month, the justice secretary said the US government and American families believed there had been agreements made, prior to trial, "regarding the place of imprisonment of anyone convicted". | Outlining his decision to free Megrahi last month, the justice secretary said the US government and American families believed there had been agreements made, prior to trial, "regarding the place of imprisonment of anyone convicted". |
| Speaking to the BBC, Sir Christopher Meyer said: "One thing I do remember very, very clearly was that it was very important to them [the US] to get a commitment out of us that if Megrahi and the other guy were found guilty, they would serve the full term of their sentence in a UK jail. | Speaking to the BBC, Sir Christopher Meyer said: "One thing I do remember very, very clearly was that it was very important to them [the US] to get a commitment out of us that if Megrahi and the other guy were found guilty, they would serve the full term of their sentence in a UK jail. |
| "For the Americans that was a vital selling point for the relatives and friends of the Americans who died in the blowing up of the Pan Am flight." | "For the Americans that was a vital selling point for the relatives and friends of the Americans who died in the blowing up of the Pan Am flight." |
| In a statement the Foreign Office said: "In our discussions with the US government, we made it clear that the imprisonment of the accused in Scotland was always without prejudice to Scottish ministers taking decisions under Scottish law." | |
| Meanwhile, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said he had held talks to see if more information on the case of the Lockerbie bomber could be made public. | Meanwhile, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said he had held talks to see if more information on the case of the Lockerbie bomber could be made public. |
| Speaking during question time at Holyrood, under questioning by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott, Mr Salmond revealed he had conducted discussions with law officers about whether information on the case held by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission could be published. | Speaking during question time at Holyrood, under questioning by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott, Mr Salmond revealed he had conducted discussions with law officers about whether information on the case held by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission could be published. |
| The Commission, which looks at possible miscarriages of justice, referred the Lockerbie bomber's case back to the courts for a second appeal hearing in 2007. | The Commission, which looks at possible miscarriages of justice, referred the Lockerbie bomber's case back to the courts for a second appeal hearing in 2007. |