Row over Lockerbie bomber reignited

Row over Lockerbie bomber's release reignites on 21st anniversary of the tragedy
12 April 2012

The row over the decision to release the Lockerbie bomber has reignited amid speculation about his deteriorating health.

On the 21st anniversary of the atrocity which claimed the lives of 270 people when Pan Am flight 103 exploded over the Scottish town, Libyan Abdelbaset al Megrahi was being treated for terminal prostate cancer in his home country after being released from Greenock jail on compassionate grounds four months ago.

Reports from Tripoli said the disease has spread and the health of the 57-year-old is worsening.

Dr Jim Swire, the father of one of the British victims, said he understood Megrahi may have a "few weeks" left to live.

Labour in Scotland has been critical of the decision made by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill to release the bomber, with the party's justice spokesman Richard Baker saying he would be thinking of the families who lost loved ones.

Mr Baker said: "As I said at the time of the release the decision to release Megrahi was wrong. The decision to return him was as flawed as the medical advice that the Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill relied on as his reasoning behind the release.

"Whilst he took every possible care to look after Megrahi he paid little attention or heed to the views of Megrahi's victims' families. I will be thinking of those families and I hope that Mr MacAskill will too."

A spokesman for Mr MacAskill hit back: "Richard Baker should have the judgment and good sense to understand that this should not be a matter for party politicking - a point well made by Labour MSP Malcolm Chisholm, who supported Mr MacAskill's decision.

"The justice secretary had a very difficult decision to make, but he made the right one, above all for the right reasons - supported by the medical report, and the recommendations of the parole board and prison governor."

Conservative MP David Mundell, whose constituency includes Lockerbie, said the families and not the man convicted of the bombing should be the focus on the 21st anniversary. He said: "Last year when we marked the 20th anniversary with quiet and dignified events in the town, little did we foresee the furore and distress the Scottish Government's actions would bring, confirming that whilst most people locally have been able to move on, the hope of closure for the relatives and local community remains as distant a prospect as ever."

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