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Libya broke promise not to celebrate Lockerbie release, says Kenny MacAskill
The man who took the decision to free the Lockerbie bomber from jail on compassionate grounds accused him yesterday of breaking an undertaking not to celebrate his release.Abdul Baset Ali al-Megrahi, the Libyan convicted of the bombing, had shown no sensitivity to the families of those who died, Kenny MacAskill, Scotlands Justice Secretary, told the Scottish Parliament. he didn't show much sensitivity when he killed them either. It was the first time that Scotlands Nationalist administration has joined the condemnation of the triumphal scenes. Aware that Britain is caught in the cross-hairs of international outrage, Gordon Brown is expected today to urge Libya not to fête al-Megrahi further. Appearing before the cameras for the first time in weeks, Mr Brown will hold talks at No 10 with Binyamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, before taking questions from the press. Although Mr Brown is expected to issue a robust defence of his principled decision that the release was a matter only for the devolved Scottish government, diplomatic efforts are being made to restore Britains battered credibility among allies, including the US. Amid a rumble of accusations that Britain connived at the release in return for trade deals with oil-rich Libya, aides said last night that Mr Brown was likely to disclose how he had demanded assurances from Tripoli that al-Megrahi would not be fêted in the celebrations on Tuesday to mark the 40th anniversary of Colonel Muammar Gaddafis seizure of power. video and text at link. Posted by: tipper 2009-08-25 |
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