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Salmond raises Lockerbie concern Salmond raises Lockerbie concern
(about 2 hours later)
Scotland's first minister has demanded clarification from the UK Government over the fate of the Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi.Scotland's first minister has demanded clarification from the UK Government over the fate of the Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi.
Alex Salmond was responding to a memorandum signed by the UK and Libya over prisoner transfers.Alex Salmond was responding to a memorandum signed by the UK and Libya over prisoner transfers.
In an emergency statement at Holyrood, Mr Salmond said he had expressed "concern" to Prime Minister Tony Blair.In an emergency statement at Holyrood, Mr Salmond said he had expressed "concern" to Prime Minister Tony Blair.
However, a spokesman for Mr Blair said no deal has been signed over the future of al-Megrahi.However, a spokesman for Mr Blair said no deal has been signed over the future of al-Megrahi.
The Libyan was found guilty and jailed for life in 2001 for killing 270 people in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over the Scottish town of Lockerbie.The Libyan was found guilty and jailed for life in 2001 for killing 270 people in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over the Scottish town of Lockerbie.
He was tried under Scottish law at a specially convened court at Camp Zeist in the Netherlands and is currently held in Gateside Prison in Greenock, near Glasgow.
This government is determined that decisions on any individual case will continue to be made following the due process of Scots law First Minister Alex Salmond
Mr Salmond said the memorandum had been signed on 29 May but "at no stage" was the Scottish government made aware of it beforehand.Mr Salmond said the memorandum had been signed on 29 May but "at no stage" was the Scottish government made aware of it beforehand.
Legal review Addressing MSPs, he did not disclose the contents, but said: "The memorandum of understanding deals with judicial co-operation on matters of law, extradition and on the issue of prisoner transfer.
Addressing MSPs, he said: "The memorandum of understanding deals with judicial co-operation on matters of law, extradition and on the issue of prisoner transfer." "I have today written to the prime minister expressing my concern that it was felt appropriate for the UK Government to sign such a memorandum on matters clearly devolved to Scotland without any opportunity for this government and indeed this parliament to contribute."
The first minister reminded politicians that al-Megrahi's case was being reviewed by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, which could send his case back to appeal judges in Edinburgh.The first minister reminded politicians that al-Megrahi's case was being reviewed by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, which could send his case back to appeal judges in Edinburgh.
A spokesman for the prime minister said a deal covering Libyan prisoner exchange was reached between the PM and the Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi. Prosecutors have called for a longer sentence while al-Megrahi's team have been seeking a reduction.
However, the spokesman added that no agreement had been reached over the future of al-Megrahi because he is the subject of a legal review. Scotland's top law officer, the Lord Advocate Eilish Angiolini, supported the decision to write to Mr Blair, Mr Salmond said.
When asked if after that review al-Megrahi could be returned to serve his sentence in Libya, the spokesman would not be drawn. The first minister made an emergency statement to Holyrood
He added that while the Scottish Executive supports the UK Government's desire for better relations with Libya, the lack of consultation with Holyrood over the memorandum was "clearly unacceptable".
"This government is determined that decisions on any individual case will continue to be made following the due process of Scots law," the first minister said.
Downing Street insisted that the memorandum of understanding with Libya did not cover the case of the Lockerbie bomber.
In a statement it said: "There is a legal process currently under way in Scotland reviewing this case which is not expected to conclude until later this summer.
"Given that, it is totally wrong to suggest the we have reached any agreement with the Libyan Government in this case.
"The memorandum of understanding agreed with the Libyan government last week does not cover this case."
A spokesman for the prime minister said a deal covering Libyan prisoner exchange was reached between Mr Blair and the Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi.
Lack of consultation
When asked if after the legal review al-Megrahi could be returned to serve his sentence in Libya, the spokesman would not be drawn.
Opposition politicians in Scotland condemned the lack of consultation with the Scottish government.
Labour leader Jack McConnell said: "As former first minister I would have expected and demanded no less than prior consultation on such a memorandum."
"Scottish ministers, as far as I understand the letter of the law, have an absolute veto over prison transfers, I want to know if this memorandum contradicts that in any way."
He went on to criticise Mr Salmond for not telling MSPs sooner.
Mr Salmond told him he became aware of the memorandum on Friday, discussed it at the Scottish Cabinet meeting on Tuesday and then consulted the lord advocate on Wednesday.
Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie said: "Tony Blair has quite simply ridden roughshod over devolution and treated with contempt Scotland's distinct and independent legal system."