Lockerbie bomber celebrates 58th birthday

Release: Medical experts said Megrahi had just three months to live.© STV

The Lockerbie bomber is celebrating his 58th birthday, almost eight months after he returned to Libya as a dying man.

Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was released from Greenock Prison on compassionate grounds in August, after it was claimed he had just three months to live. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill took the decision after being advised that Mr Megrahi was in the later stages of prostate cancer.

Since then, Mr Megrahi has reportedly refused to release his medical records to the Scottish authorities, sparking claims his condition is not as serious as was claimed. His family and friends in Libya have also claimed that his health improved dramatically on his return to the country.

On Wednesday, as Mr Megrahi enjoyed celebrations in Tripoli, Mr MacAskill came under fresh pressure to explain the decision to release the bomber.

BACKGROUND


It followed the publication of a poll commission by the Scottish Conservatives which showed an increase in public anger over the decision to release Mr Megrahi. A survey carried out at the time of the decision showed Scots were evenly split on 45% for and against his release. However, the latest figures showed more than half of Scots were now critical of the move.

Conservative Justice spokesman Bill Aitken MSP said: “As Britain’s biggest mass murderer celebrates his first birthday since returning home to Libya, many questions remain unanswered as to exactly why he was released from jail in Scotland.

“It is now over seven months since the Lockerbie Bomber returned to Tripoli to a hero’s welcome. The SNP Government has yet to come clean and produce the evidence that set him free. The public has a right to know.

“The SNP won’t let us see the medical evidence which prompted them to release the Lockerbie Bomber, and now we hear Al Megrahi has refused to release his own medical records for scrutiny. That is totally unacceptable and a government worth its salt would not tolerate such a snub.

"Every day, the SNP Government looks more and more foolish and until all the evidence is published, that will not change.”

Labour leader Iain Gray also blasted Mr MacAskill, saying: "This entire episode damaged Scotland’s international reputation and unfortunately reflects the SNP’s attitude to victims of crime.

"It was the wrong decision by a soft-touch Justice Minister to release a man who murdered 270 people to a hero’s reception in Tripoli and is now celebrating his birthday at home.

"The longer Megrahi lives his life in comfort in Libya raises even more questions about the decision.

"The medical evidence was deeply flawed and Kenny MacAskill should have obtained a second opinion."

Dumfries and Galloway Labour MP, Russell Brown, added: "People here are increasingly furious that the SNP released this man without any legitimate reason.

"The Nats claim he had three months to live. That's clearly wrong but they are keeping the medical evidence a secret.

"The SNP's handling of this case is now turning into a national outrage."

Mr Megrahi remains the only person ever convicted in connection with the Pan-Am bombing which claimed 270 lives in 1988. He has always maintained his innocence and had been planning to appeal his decision. However, the appeal was formally dropped prior to his release.