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Lockerbie bomber release ‘trade deal’ denied
Saturday, 22 August 2009
enlargeThe Foreign Office is strongly denying claims that the release of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Al Megrahi was linked to trade agreements between Britain and Libya.
Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's son Saif is reported to have said that the decision to free Megrahi from a Scottish prison was tied to a deal between the UK and the oil-rich north African state.
However, the Foreign Office insisted that there was no deal between London and Libya in relation to Megrahi, and that his release on compassionate grounds was purely a matter for the Scottish authorities.
“There is no deal. All decisions relating to the Megrahi case have been exclusively for Scottish ministers, the Crown Office in Scotland, and the Scottish judicial authorities,” a spokesman said.
“No deal has been made between the UK government and the Libyan government in relation to Megrahi and any commercial interests in the country.”
Speculation that there had been some form of agreement was fuelled by the disclosure that Business Secretary Lord Mandelson met Saif al-Islam Gaddafi during his recent holiday on Corfu.
The deepening controversy of Megrahi's release follows condemnation of the bomber's triumphant homecoming on both sides of the Atlantic.
Crowds waving Libyan and Scottish flags were waiting at Tripoli airport after terminally-ill Megrahi flew back from Glasgow on Thursday. He was released by Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill on compassionate grounds after serving less than eight years of his life sentence.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the scenes were “deeply upsetting”, and warned the way the Libyan government acted over the next few days would be “very significant” in determining how the world treated the former pariah state.
US president Barack Obama described the triumphant Tripoli welcome awarded to Megrahi as “highly objectionable”.
And it was disclosed that a planned visit to the country next month by the Duke of York could now be cancelled.
Megrahi himself has revealed he will produce evidence proving his innocence before he dies from prostate cancer.
In an interview with The Times, he said: “There was a miscarriage of justice. My message to the British and Scottish communities is that I will put out the evidence and ask them to be the jury.” He declined to elaborate.
Downing Street said Gordon Brown had personally written to Col Gaddafi ahead of Megrahi's release on compassionate grounds, urging him to treat the return of the bomber with “sensitivity”.
There were indications that the regime was heeding the concerns, with no sign of Megrahi in public yesterday and no broadcast of his jubilant homecoming on Libyan television.
Mr Miliband said of Megrahi's return: “Obviously, the sight of a mass murderer getting a hero's welcome in Tripoli is deeply upsetting, deeply distressing, above all for the 270 families who grieve every day for the loss of their loved ones 21 years ago and also for anyone who has an ounce of humanity in them.
Earlier, Mr Miliband angrily denied suggestions that the Government had wanted Megrahi to be released so that commercial relations with the oil-rich north African state could be improved.
“I really reject that entirely,” he said. “That is a slur both on myself and the Government.”
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond strongly defended Mr MacAskill's decision to release Megrahi.
“We did not consider matters of international politics from whatever source. We considered what was right and proper under the system of justice as laid down,” he said. “The message is that Scotland did the right thing for the right reasons.”
He also criticised Libya for the welcome scenes, saying: “I don't think the reception for Mr Megrahi was appropriate in Libya; I don't think that was wise and I don't think that was the right thing to do.”
Meanwhile Tory leader David Cameron sought to press Mr Brown on whether he supported Mr MacAskill's decision.
British ministers have stuck to the line that it was purely a matter for the Scottish Government.
But in a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Cameron pointed out that Col Gaddafi's son had publicly thanked both the Scottish authorities and the British Government for their stance, raising questions about the Government's role.
“Above all, I believe that the public are entitled to know what you think of the decision to release Megrahi, and whether you consider it was right or wrong,” Mr Cameron said in his letter.
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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