Medical Advice On Lockerbie Bomber ‘In Doubt’
August 27, 2009 by national
Filed under World Report
Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill was last night under pressure to reveal more details of the medical evidence that led to the release of the Lockerbie bomber, after it emerged that only one doctor was willing to say Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi had less than three months to live.
Labour and Conservative politicians have demanded the Scottish Government publish details of the doctor’s expertise and qualifications, amid suggestions he or she may not have been a prostate cancer expert.
The parties have also raised questions over whether the doctor was employed by the Libyan government or Megrahi’s legal team, which could have influenced the judgment.
The evidence provided by the doctor is crucial as compassionate release under Scots law requires that a prisoner has less than three months to live.
Doubts about Megrahi’s life expectancy have already been raised by American relatives of the 270 victims of the bomb that blew up Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie on 21 December, 1988. But last night the Scottish Government said it would not publish details of the individual who gave the crucial advice.
Mr MacAskill has said he based his decision to release Megrahi on the opinions of a range of experts.
But this is contradicted by a decisive report sent to Mr MacAskill on 10 August.
Lockerbie Bomber Released From Scottish Prison
August 20, 2009 by national
Filed under World Report
The Lockerbie bomber has left prison after he was freed on compassionate grounds by the Scottish Government. Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, 57, was jailed in 2001 for the atrocity which claimed 270 lives in 1988. Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill revealed that the Libyan, who has terminal prostate cancer, would be allowed to return to his homeland.
The White House said it “deeply regretted” the decision and some of the US victims’ families reacted angrily.
A police convoy left Greenock Prison, where Megrahi was serving his sentence, more than an hour after the announcement of his release was made.
The BBC understands he will be flown to Tripoli on a specially chartered plane due to leave Glasgow.
Statement from Kenny MacAskill, the Scottish Justice Secretary
Kenny MacAskill, the Scottish Justice Secretary, today announced his decision to free the Lockerbie bomber. Here is his statement in full.
Mr MacAskill said: “It is my privilege to serve as the Cabinet Secretary for Justice in the Government of Scotland. It is a post in which I take great pride, but one which carries with it great responsibility.
“Never, perhaps, more so than with these decisions that I now have to make.
“On the evening of 21 December 1988 a heinous crime was perpetrated.
Related Links“It claimed the lives of 270 innocent civilians. Four days before Christmas, men, women and children going about their daily lives were cruelly murdered.
“They included 11 from one small Scottish town. That town was Lockerbie – a name that will forever be associated with the worst terrorist atrocity ever committed on UK soil.
“A prisoner transfer application has been submitted by the Government of Libya seeking the transfer of Mr Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi.
“The man convicted of those offences in the Scottish courts. He has also now sought to be released on compassionate grounds due to his prostate cancer that is terminal.
“This crime precedes both the election of our Government and even the restoration of a Parliament in Scotland.
