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Straw to face MPs over Megrahi Straw denies Megrahi interference
(about 4 hours later)
Jack Straw is to face questions about his role in the run-up to the release of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi. Jack Straw has denied a suggestion the UK government guided Scottish ministers to release the Lockerbie bomber from prison on compassionate grounds.
MPs on the Justice Committee will press the justice secretary on why he decided not to exclude Megrahi from a prisoner transfer agreement signed with Libya. But ministers did tell the Scottish government prior to Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi's release the UK government was not seeking his death in custody.
The Lockerbie bomber, who has terminal cancer, was granted a compassionate release from prison by Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill. Mr Straw, the UK Justice Secretary, has been giving evidence to the Commons Justice Committee.
The August release sparked an international outcry. Megrahi, who has terminal prostate cancer, was released in August.
Although Megrahi was released on compassionate grounds there have been many questions over the prisoner transfer agreement signed with Libya, which would also have allowed him to return home. Tory MP Douglas Hogg challenged Mr Straw when he stated that in effect Westminster was guiding Scottish ministers to free the Libyan, but the justice secretary insisted it was entirely a matter for the Scottish government.
Sceptics like Liberal Democrat Alistair Carmichael have suggested pressure was put on the Scottish government to see Megrahi returned to Tripoli under the transfer scheme, which was originally signed by Tony Blair. Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill decided to grant Megrahi a compassionate release after seeking medical advice on his condition.
Mr Carmichael said: "I have absolutely no doubt that the pressure was there and I've absolutely no doubt that the pressure was intended to be there. Mr Straw originally intended to exclude Megrahi from a prisoner transfer agreement signed with Tripoli by the then Prime Minister Tony Blair, but he later changed his mind.
"It so happened that as things then developed the pressure may not have had the affect that those who originally applied would have intended, but the pressure was there."
Megrahi's condition was assessed before his compassionate release
After a political outcry, Mr Straw originally intended to exclude Megrahi from the transfer agreement, but later changed his mind.
In documents published in the aftermath of the Libyan's release, Mr Straw told the Scottish government it was in the UK's overwhelming interests not to exclude Megrahi.In documents published in the aftermath of the Libyan's release, Mr Straw told the Scottish government it was in the UK's overwhelming interests not to exclude Megrahi.
Mr Straw said strong relations with Libya were important and that it would not be sensible to risk damaging them.Mr Straw said strong relations with Libya were important and that it would not be sensible to risk damaging them.
Both the Holyrood and Westminster administrations deny any pressure was applied on Mr MacAskill over the decision.Both the Holyrood and Westminster administrations deny any pressure was applied on Mr MacAskill over the decision.
MPs will now have the opportunity to question Mr Straw about his role and whether ministers wanted Megrahi released to improve trade deals.