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24/08/2009
Scottish Debate Bomber's Release
The Scottish Justice Secretary has defended his decision to release the Lockerbie bomber in the Scottish Parliament today as members gathered for an emergency debate.
The Scottish Parliament returned a week early to allow MSPs to take part in a debate to question Kenny MacAskill over Abdel Baset al Megrahi's release.
Mr MacAskill was quizzed on how he aims to repair the damage they claim has been done to Scotland's global reputation.
Megrahi had served eight years of a life sentence imposed in 2001 after he was convicted at the Scottish Court in the Netherlands of the murder of 270 people at Lockerbie in December 1988.
Megrahi's returned home to jubilant scenes in the Libyan capital of Tripoli on Thursday. As he stepped off the plane a crowd greeted him waving Libyan and Scottish flags.
The justice Secretary made the decision to free Megrahi on compassionate grounds after medical reports showed that he has terminal prostate cancer and perhaps three months left to live.
The move has been strongly criticised by the US government.
US president Barack Obama and FBI boss Robert Mueller have both hit out at Mr MacAskill's decision.
Scottish Ministers said they understood the upset, but were duty-bound to take the right decision in the eyes of the Scottish legal system.
Scotland's opposition politicians demand Mr MacAskill reveals whether any deals were done "behind the scenes" in relation to the decision.
The justice minister addressed claims Megrahi was pressurised into his decision to drop the appeal against his conviction.
The former First Minister Jack McConnell said MSPs must make it clear they did not support the decision.
He said:"I think it's absolutely vital that the Scottish Parliament... gives a clear indication indication that when the Scottish Government made this decision they were not acting with the support of the people of Scotland."
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has continually defended the decision saying the Justice Secretary has made the "right decision" for "absolutely the right reasons".
Henry McLeish, who served as a Labour first minister at the time Megrahi was convicted, has supported Megrahi's release saying Mr MacAskill's conclusion was the right one.
Mr Salmond insists Scotland's relationship with the US is still strong. However many MSPs believe UK-US relations and Scottish businesses could suffer due to the Lockerbie bombers release.
In protest of the decision a website called boycottscotland.com has been set up urging US citizens to boycott the UK and stop buying "British or Scottish products".
(GK/BMcC)
The Scottish Parliament returned a week early to allow MSPs to take part in a debate to question Kenny MacAskill over Abdel Baset al Megrahi's release.
Mr MacAskill was quizzed on how he aims to repair the damage they claim has been done to Scotland's global reputation.
Megrahi had served eight years of a life sentence imposed in 2001 after he was convicted at the Scottish Court in the Netherlands of the murder of 270 people at Lockerbie in December 1988.
Megrahi's returned home to jubilant scenes in the Libyan capital of Tripoli on Thursday. As he stepped off the plane a crowd greeted him waving Libyan and Scottish flags.
The justice Secretary made the decision to free Megrahi on compassionate grounds after medical reports showed that he has terminal prostate cancer and perhaps three months left to live.
The move has been strongly criticised by the US government.
US president Barack Obama and FBI boss Robert Mueller have both hit out at Mr MacAskill's decision.
Scottish Ministers said they understood the upset, but were duty-bound to take the right decision in the eyes of the Scottish legal system.
Scotland's opposition politicians demand Mr MacAskill reveals whether any deals were done "behind the scenes" in relation to the decision.
The justice minister addressed claims Megrahi was pressurised into his decision to drop the appeal against his conviction.
The former First Minister Jack McConnell said MSPs must make it clear they did not support the decision.
He said:"I think it's absolutely vital that the Scottish Parliament... gives a clear indication indication that when the Scottish Government made this decision they were not acting with the support of the people of Scotland."
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has continually defended the decision saying the Justice Secretary has made the "right decision" for "absolutely the right reasons".
Henry McLeish, who served as a Labour first minister at the time Megrahi was convicted, has supported Megrahi's release saying Mr MacAskill's conclusion was the right one.
Mr Salmond insists Scotland's relationship with the US is still strong. However many MSPs believe UK-US relations and Scottish businesses could suffer due to the Lockerbie bombers release.
In protest of the decision a website called boycottscotland.com has been set up urging US citizens to boycott the UK and stop buying "British or Scottish products".
(GK/BMcC)
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20 August 2009
Lockerbie Bomber Released
Despite widespread opposition, the Lockerbie bomber has this afternoon left Scotland on board a plane bound for Libya. Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, 57, was freed from prison on compassionate grounds after being jailed in 2001 for the atrocity which claimed 270 lives in 1988.
Lockerbie Bomber Released
Despite widespread opposition, the Lockerbie bomber has this afternoon left Scotland on board a plane bound for Libya. Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, 57, was freed from prison on compassionate grounds after being jailed in 2001 for the atrocity which claimed 270 lives in 1988.
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Gordon Brown has said he was "repulsed" by the warm welcome given to the Lockerbie bomber on his return to Libya. Up to now, the Prime Minister (pictured) has declined to break his silence on the release of the Lockerbie bomber - despite mounting pressure.
PM 'Breaks Lockerbie Silence'
Gordon Brown has said he was "repulsed" by the warm welcome given to the Lockerbie bomber on his return to Libya. Up to now, the Prime Minister (pictured) has declined to break his silence on the release of the Lockerbie bomber - despite mounting pressure.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
