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FBI chief joins attack on Scottish minister as Lockerbie row deepens
Monday, 24 August 2009
enlargeScottish First Minister Alex Salmond has been forced to defend the release of the Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Al Megrahi in the face of a blistering attack from the head of the FBI.
The leader of the Scottish National Party administration in Edinburgh said that they had made the “right decision” in freeing Megrahi on compassionate grounds after serving less than eight years of his life sentence.
He insisted that Scotland's relationship with the United States remained strong, despite the fury across the Atlantic that Megrahi would not now die in jail.
However, he came under fire from his Labour predecessor as first minister, Jack McConnell, who accused the SNP government of a “grave error of judgment” which had damaged Scotland's reputation.
In London, UK ministers expressed concern that the deepening row could have repercussions for wider British-US relations.
Jim Knight, Employment Minister, told Sky News' Sunday Live: “I hope there is no fall-out from this for Scotland, and I hope there is no fall-out from this for the UK in terms or our relationship with the US which is a key relationship for us.”
The depth of the anger in America was underlined by the letter from Robert Mueller, the Director of the FBI, to the Scottish Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill, who ordered Megrahi's release.
Mr Mueller, who was the US assistant attorney general responsible for the Lockerbie investigation, said he was outraged by the decision.
“Your action in releasing Megrahi is as inexplicable as it is detrimental to the cause of justice. Indeed your action makes a mockery of the rule of law,” he wrote.
“Your action gives comfort to terrorists around the world who now believe that regardless of the quality of the investigation, the conviction by jury after the defendant is given all due process, and sentence appropriate to the crime, the terrorist will be freed by one man's exercise of 'compassion'.”
Mr Salmond acknowledged the “hurt and disappointment” that had been felt in the US — from where most of the 270 victims came — but expressed his disappointment that Mr Mueller had failed to acknowledge that some of the families, particularly in the UK, had supported the release.
“No-one I think seriously believes we made any other decision except for the right reasons. I also absolutely know it was for the right reasons,” he said.
”The relationship between Scotland and the United States is strong, it is enduring, it is deep, and it cannot be based on always finding agreement.”
But with the recalled Scottish Parliament set to return today, a week early, to discuss the situation, Mr McConnell said the government needed to make it clear that the decision did not have the support of the people.
“I think it's absolutely vital that the Scottish Parliament now takes action to limit that damage and to give a clear indication to the rest of the world that when the Scottish Government made this decision they were not acting with the support of the people of Scotland,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gordon Brown continued to come under pressure from opposition parties to say whether he supported Megrahi's release. So far, UK ministers have refused to comment, sticking firmly to the line that it was a matter for the Scottish authorities.
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Comments
26 Comments
justice must be seen to be done...the fundamental principal of any societies justice system. McCaskill failed to preserve that principal.
He is a disgrace to Scotland.
Posted by bill blair | 07.09.09, 05:39 GMT
It was a matter for the Scottish Justice Minister and the Scottish Parliament over which the PM has no authority!
Posted by malachy mulligan | 03.09.09, 08:48 GMT
The Gulf War had no relevance to the plan to blame Libya which predated the Lockerbie bombing. The indictment was announced long after the Gulf War.
Fisk writes "the bag that contained the bomb was actually put onto the luggage carousel for checking in by this passengers Lebanese handler." Does he expect anybody to take him seriously? At what Airport do you put luggage on a carousel to check-in?
The "big lie" of Lockerbie is that the bomb arrived at Heathrow from Frankfurt. Look to Tehran and Damascus? Look to London and Washington.
Posted by porkylinda | 28.08.09, 11:01 GMT
There should a full independent inquiry into Lockerbie headed by an international panel. Of course this will never happen because the British government (not devolved Scottish one) don't want it. The US government doesn't want it. It would open up a can of worms. It is all very well for those to be angry at Scotland. Their anger should be directed at the British and US administrations. I recommend reading Trail of the Octopus by Lester K. Coleman and Donald Goddard to see how deep the rabbit-hole goes.
Posted by Alice, Wonderland | 25.08.09, 06:30 GMT
Wouldn't get too many votes in the US to support Scotlands compasion would it? It seems OK to invite terrorists to the white house. Not to mention Mr. Mitchells advice to put them in goverment and let all the murders out. I wonder if he would have given the same advice after the trade centre murders. Honesty it's not about votes Lose your riding with pride. Suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. Stick to your principals.
Posted by fred needham | 25.08.09, 05:12 GMT
I am very proud to be Scottish at this moment and very proud of Kenny MacAskill that he stood his ground amid fierce opposition from the great power and voice of America and its prestigious leaders. I am proud to be a citizen of a country with a compassionate judicial system and I am so grateful that we have a Scottish Parliament that shows the world that we are a people with values. It is interesting that some of the Scottish people who lost loved ones in that horrendous Locherbie disaster are not convinced that Megrahi is guilty. Personally, I cannot understand people being outraged that a person (no matter who they are or what they've done) cannot be allowed to go home to die. Finally, I have never voted SNP, but when the election comes along I will be voting for them - because of their compassion and because of the very brave Kenny MacAskill. I would love the opportunity to meet him and shake his hand. He is, in my mind a much greater person than the famous leaders of the USA.
Posted by Elizabeth Duncan | 24.08.09, 17:36 GMT
270 dead. 8 years in prison.
Thats a week and a half inside for each person murdered.
Scotland should hang it's head in shame.
Posted by mk | 24.08.09, 11:20 GMT
If al-Megrahi is guilty (and that's a huge if), whether he showed compassion to his victims is not the issue here. Scotland has acted independently of international pressure and shown it has a backbone.
It has also shown that most fundamental of human values, more fundamental even than justice - compassion.
Where would we be without that ?
Posted by Yip | 24.08.09, 09:51 GMT
Well done Scotland for showing independence of thought, compassion in judgement, courage and backbone.
Posted by Yip | 24.08.09, 09:48 GMT
i will never return to scottland ......
Posted by tom sahlender | 24.08.09, 05:33 GMT
Lets send Ian Brady the child killer back to Scotland on compassionate grounds. He comes from Glasgow and his real name is Ian Scott, 'Brady' was the name he took on from one of his mothers lovers! What an embarassment eh! Libyan killer sent home! Tell the the families of his victims the reason why!
Posted by mike monahan | 23.08.09, 22:56 GMT
If ever a case deserved a Public Inquiry it is this one. After all, this is the UK's largest ever 'terrorist' atrocity.
A criminal case within the UK needs to proven beyond a reasonable doubt. There is a massive amount of reasonable doubt in this case. This was a very convienient conviction for a lot of people, and more importantly, a lot of countries.
I am glad that this bloke is free. In my own personal opinion, after looking at the case in detail, he is not guilty of the crime that he was convicted of. You should take the time to access the German Police evidence that Mr Fisk has referred to, it makes very interesting reading. If you find the word 'Libya' mentioned anywhere, please let me know where you find it. The 1989 police operation was called Autumn Leaves.
I will be even more glad when they prosecute the 'terrorists' who actually murdered all these people, no matter who or what they are. However, I will not be holding my breath until that happens.
Posted by Will Hawkes | 23.08.09, 11:49 GMT
Thanks for this article.
Megrahi's behaviour and his lack of remorse (held against him by those convinced of his guilt) is consistent with his innocence, as are Gaddafi's actions.
Gaddafi would not have sent him for trial if he had done it, would he? Gaddafi was blackmailed into paying compensation for the bombing, and the decision to do so must have been agonising for him.
As you point out, the evidence against Megrahi seems as dodgy as any dossier. He is one of a long list of ill-targeted scapegoats for atrocities demanded by American public opinion. Rich considering their funding of the IRA, ironically only ended by 9-11.
Each time I hear Megrahi called "the Lockerbie Bomber", I correct that to "the Lockerbie Scapegoat".
Though I am pleased he has been released, I am disappointed that "reasonable doubt" as to his guilt was not officially acknowledgedby the Scottish government: perhaps it could not be for reasons of due process.
Posted by Skeptician | 23.08.09, 10:42 GMT
Scotland the Naive.
Posted by lh | 23.08.09, 02:55 GMT
Something dodgy about the whole thing; leave it !
Posted by Malachy McAnespie | 22.08.09, 12:23 GMT
Robert Fisk article is fantastic. At last some truth on the Lockerbie subject! Well done BT for publishing this.
Posted by OK Computer | 22.08.09, 10:15 GMT
Wow @ Truthseeker's comment.
Posted by Wow and behold | 22.08.09, 09:42 GMT
Linydy's article = Bandwagon. Jumping.
Posted by All A Bored | 22.08.09, 09:41 GMT
Does anyone think that this man was purely released on compassionate grounds?Given that Britain and the USA have now vast interests in the former pariah state of Libya.That country is awash with British & US businessmen and agents tapping into Libya's vast oil reserves. What better way to cement this recent business relationship than to release an infamous prisoner to them on a feast day in the country (bible readers may see something familiar there). And there you go, the new clients & hosts are happy and will give more cooperation to the investors, the US doesnt loose face and gives its 'condemnation' of the act while still seeming to support the US victims familes. As Del Boy would say, "everyones a winner". It's all business. Something to think about.
Posted by In The Name Of The Fada | 21.08.09, 09:04 GMT
Anyone wanting to know the truth about Lockerbie should read 'Trail of the Octopus - From Beirut to Lockerbie' by Donald Goddard and Lester Coleman. Of course it is a book that is hard to get because it was banned. But you can find copies online. Coleman had been ordered to spy on the DEA in Cyprus which, along with the CIA, was running a series of "controlled deliveries" of Lebanese heroin through the airports of Frankfurt and London en route to America. Coleman discovered that security of this "sting" operation had been breached and warned the American Embassy that a disaster was waiting to happen. It was ignored. Seven months later, Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie. Among the dead was a DEA courier. Over the last four years Washington has ensured that the blame for the bombing rests with Libyan terrorists.
Posted by TruthSeeker | 21.08.09, 07:06 GMT
26 Comments