This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/8423117.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Bomber's condition 'deteriorates' Bomber's condition 'deteriorates'
(about 6 hours later)
The condition of the terminally ill Lockerbie bomber has deteriorated, it has been confirmed.The condition of the terminally ill Lockerbie bomber has deteriorated, it has been confirmed.
Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, 57, who was jailed for life for the 1988 bombing, was released from a Scottish prison in August on compassionate grounds. Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, 57, who was jailed for life in 2001 for the 1988 bombing, was released from prison in August on compassionate grounds.
The Tripoli Medical Centre in Libya said a scan has shown that the prostate cancer from which Megrahi is suffering has spread throughout his body.The Tripoli Medical Centre in Libya said a scan has shown that the prostate cancer from which Megrahi is suffering has spread throughout his body.
When he was repatriated he was believed to have a three-month life expectancy.When he was repatriated he was believed to have a three-month life expectancy.
The hospital said that Megrahi arrived there on Saturday coughing and vomiting, and he is said to be suffering from the secondary effects of chemotherapy sessions.The hospital said that Megrahi arrived there on Saturday coughing and vomiting, and he is said to be suffering from the secondary effects of chemotherapy sessions.
International outrage
The bulletin said: "A scan has shown a worsening of the disease which has spread more than before."The bulletin said: "A scan has shown a worsening of the disease which has spread more than before."
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "This would reflect the nature of the medical report prepared by Dr Fraser, the Scottish Prison Service director of health and care, which - along with the recommendations of the parole board and prison governor - informed the justice secretary's decision to send Megrahi back to Libya to die, but we would not comment on the situation of any individual." 'Bold decision'
The Libyan is the only man convicted of the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie 21 years ago. Scotland's Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill freed the bomber from Greenock Prison on compassionate grounds on 20 August.
He was convicted of the bombing in 2001, after a trial at a specially-convened court in the Netherlands. His decision, and the scenes which greeted Megrahi on his return to Tripoli - where Scottish flags were waved - was met with anger by some relatives of the American victims.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill decided to free Megrahi from Greenock Prison on 20 August. A Scottish government spokesperson said of Megrahi's condition: "This would reflect the nature of the medical report prepared by Dr Fraser, the Scottish Prison Service director of health and care, which - along with the recommendations of the parole board and prison governor - informed the justice secretary's decision to send Megrahi back to Libya to die.
His early release was met with anger by some American relatives of the victims, many of whom were students at Syracuse University in New York. "But we would not comment on the situation of any individual."
The scenes which greeted the bomber on his return to Tripoli, where Scottish flags were waved, also caused outrage. Dr Jim Swire, who lost his daughter Flora in the bombing, which happened 21 years ago on Monday, said: "I've been talking to people who know about his medical condition and the message I get is he's likely to only have a few weeks left.
"I think it's another occasion where we should be grateful for Kenny MacAskill's bold decision to allow him to go home."
However, Conservative MP for the Lockerbie area David Mundell said: "On this 21st anniversary of the Lockerbie air disaster, it is disappointing that Mr Al Megrahi is once again the focus of attention.
"Instead our thoughts should be those who lost loved ones on the night or were subsequently caught up in these tragic events."