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Lockerbie bomber Megrahi makes appeal claims in book Lockerbie bomber Megrahi makes appeal claims in book
(about 1 hour later)
The Lockerbie bomber has claimed he was urged to drop an appeal against his conviction to allow him to be released early from prison.The Lockerbie bomber has claimed he was urged to drop an appeal against his conviction to allow him to be released early from prison.
Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the only man to be convicted of the 1988 atrocity, makes the claim in a new biography. Abdelbaset al-Megrahi made the claim in a new biography.
He also says that new evidence which has just been uncovered should help prove his innocence. He said he was told the suggestion came in a private meeting between a Libyan official, Abdulati al-Obedi, and Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.
The Scottish government has categorically denied doing any deal with Megrahi over his release.The Scottish government has categorically denied doing any deal with Megrahi over his release.
The Libyan dropped his appeal against conviction in August 2009 and later the same month he was freed by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill on compassionate grounds due to his inoperable cancer. The Libyan - the only man to be convicted of the 1988 atrocity - dropped his appeal against conviction in August 2009 and later the same month he was freed by Mr MacAskill on compassionate grounds due to his inoperable cancer.
In a biography just published, Megrahi claims he was told dropping the appeal would enhance his chances of gaining compassionate release.In a biography just published, Megrahi claims he was told dropping the appeal would enhance his chances of gaining compassionate release.
The book states that Mr MacAskill met a delegation of Libyan officials 10 days before announcing his decision, including foreign minister Abdulati al-Obedi.
In the book, Megrahi claimed: "After the meeting, the Libyan delegation came to the prison to visit me.
"Obedi said that, towards the end of the meeting, MacAskill had asked to speak to him in private.
"Once the others had withdrawn, he stated that MacAskill gave him to understand that it would be easier to grant compassionate release if I dropped my appeal.
"He said he was not demanding that I do so, but the message seemed to me clear.
"I was legally entitled to continue the appeal, but I could not risk doing so. It meant abandoning my quest for justice."
A Scottish government spokesman said: "We can say categorically that neither the Scottish Government had any involvement of any kind in Mr Al-Megrahi dropping his appeal, or indeed any interest in it.A Scottish government spokesman said: "We can say categorically that neither the Scottish Government had any involvement of any kind in Mr Al-Megrahi dropping his appeal, or indeed any interest in it.
"That was entirely a matter for Mr Al-Megrahi and his legal team. "That was entirely a matter for Mr Al-Megrahi and his legal team."
Meanwhile, a BBC Scotland Investigation to be screened on Monday evening reveals new evidence about the fragment of timer found in a Roxburghshire forest which was crucial to Megrahi's conviction.
Express forgivenessExpress forgiveness
Meanwhile, a BBC Scotland Investigation to be screened on Monday evening reveals new evidence about the fragment of timer found in a Roxburghshire forest which was crucial to Megrahi's conviction.
The evidence was never revealed to his lawyers and campaigners claim it could have significantly affected the verdict of the trial judges.The evidence was never revealed to his lawyers and campaigners claim it could have significantly affected the verdict of the trial judges.
The programme also sees Megrahi express forgiveness for the man whose evidence was crucial in finding him guilty.The programme also sees Megrahi express forgiveness for the man whose evidence was crucial in finding him guilty.
Maltese shopkeeper Tony Gauci identified him as purchasing clothes found packed around the bomb.Maltese shopkeeper Tony Gauci identified him as purchasing clothes found packed around the bomb.
His evidence linked Megrahi with the explosion in which 270 people died.His evidence linked Megrahi with the explosion in which 270 people died.
Megrahi, 59, denies buying the clothes, but in the interview to be shown on BBC Scotland he said he forgave Mr Gauci.Megrahi, 59, denies buying the clothes, but in the interview to be shown on BBC Scotland he said he forgave Mr Gauci.
"I'll tell him he dealt with me very wrongly," he said."I'll tell him he dealt with me very wrongly," he said.
"I have never seen him in my entire life except when he came to the court."I have never seen him in my entire life except when he came to the court.
"I find him a very simple man. But I do forgive him.""I find him a very simple man. But I do forgive him."
BBC Scotland Investigates 2012 - Lockerbie - The Lost Evidence is being shown on BBC1 Scotland at 19:30 on Monday.BBC Scotland Investigates 2012 - Lockerbie - The Lost Evidence is being shown on BBC1 Scotland at 19:30 on Monday.