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Lindy McDowell: What mercy did evil Lockerbie bomber show to his 270 victims?
Saturday, 22 August 2009
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Home to a hero’s welcome this week — a man who murdered 270 people. The latest New Labour early release candidate is Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi, who was greeted by flag waving, chanting crowds as he touched down in Libya.
From the perspective of Northern Ireland the striking aspect to this has been seeing played out on an international stage something we’ve become all too used to in Northern Ireland ...
The British government booting victims of terror in the face.
From the fan club at the airport (reminiscent of the air-punching, back-slapping reception for terrorist murderers let out early here) to the torn emotions of the victims’ families, the whole sickening circus has about it an uncomfortably familiar resonance.
“Our beliefs dictate that justice be served, but mercy be shown,” said Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, the man who made the final decision to free Al Megrahi.
Undoubtedly Mr MacAskill is an honourable man whose motives are pure.
But let’s be clear — ultimately this release was not about justice or mercy. It was about expediency.
In what terms can it possibly be described as justice served?
If, as is being suggested, the man is innocent (and along with most onlookers I have absolutely no idea whether or not he is) his case should have been swiftly reviewed.
If there was any doubt about his conviction, he should have been freed and his name completely cleared.
Instead the Scottish legal system and the British government (which ultimately calls the shots) remain in agreement that this is a man who murdered 270 human beings.
How is justice served then by his release?
Justice that is, from the perspective of those relatives for whom the sight of Al Megrahi walking free is a further twist of the knife in the heart.
Where is the mercy for them?
Take Susan Cohen, whose daughter Theodora was among those passengers killed on the jet.
“You want to feel sorry for anyone, please feel sorry for me,” says Susan.
“Feel sorry for my poor daughter, her body falling a mile through the air.”
Al Megrahi is, of course, dying. But this changes things, how?
In many other countries he would already have been fried for what he did.
And who should we let out next on the grounds that it’s tough for them being separated from their loved ones?
Baby P’s killers?
Sorry, but my sympathy here is reserved entirely for the real victims.
But feeling compassion for the victims — seeking mercy for those who have already suffered so very grievously — is unfashionable in New Labour’s Britain.
Not least because it’s politically inconvenient.
Two years ago when Tony Blair and Colonel Gaddafi did the business in the tent, it led to the one time pariah of the western world (Muammar, not Tone) being ‘brought in from the cold.’
This bringing in from the cold involved, it appears, an oil deal with Britain and America.
Blood money, one bereaved parent calls it.
Importantly, Gaddafi’s regime also agreed to pay reparations to American victims of Libyan sponsored terrorism.
Shamefully, the British government failed to seek similar justice for UK victims of which there are an estimated 3,500 in Northern Ireland.
Their case is still being fought by the brilliant team from legal firm H2O — the same firm which won the recent landmark Omagh civil action.
Colin Parry — father of the child who was murdered by the IRA using Gaddafi-supplied Semtex — asks: “Why can‘t the British government fight for us?”
And H2O lawyer Jason McCue adds: “The entente cordiale with Libya appears to be indifferent to the sensibilities and legal rights of the victims of Libyan Semtex and, more generally, their human rights.
“The intended beneficiary of all this is Anglo-Libyan trade. It is politically short-sighted and morally repugnant.”
Morally repugnant is not, of course, any big problem for a government that feels comfortable releasing a mass murderer as the bereaved relatives of his victims cry out in anguish.
But if they think (as they did in Northern Ireland) that this will ‘draw a line under the past’, they are wrong.
As we know from experience here, it will not silence the victims for whom neither justice has been served. Nor mercy shown.
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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