The release of the Lockerbie bomber

[Ally B]

Why boycot Scotland,only one man made the decision.The Scotish people were never asked their opinion.

[Scunner]

Scottish people died too. The Americans seem to forget that. I think he should have rotted in jail in Scotland but I too admire the nation for following the rule of law. I wonder if Americans will also boycott the American companies profiting from the construction and oil industries of Libya. I used to work for one of them.

[kevin3]

The Scottish Minister had several options available to him.He could have kept the bomber in his cell,but allowed visitation rights to all of his family.That would have shown compassion.He could have ordered his transfer to a Libyan jail to serve out his sentence.But to release The convicted killer of 270 innocent people to freedom,and given the million of pounds spent persuing and prosecuting him STINKS.

[Highlander]

I said early on in this discussion that I thought we could have shown Megrahi compassion and humanity until his death within the confines of his cell.

But here's a thing. Some people, including Dr Jim Swire who lost his daughter in the atrocity and who has meet Megrahi, believe that there is reasonable doubt concerning the robustness of the conviction.

Even allowing for the fact that Megrahi was convicted in a Court under Scots Law, there seems little doubt that the whole truth is not know at this time.

Although I don't remember MacAskill saying so, do you think that this something he may (or should) have taken into account and, if so, was he correct in doing so in reaching his "compassionate" decision.

If, at some date in the future, it is proved that Megrahi was in fact not responsible for this henous crime, then surely MacAskill's decision will have indeed been a compassionate and humane one.

[kevin3]

Megrahi is now saying he will produce the evidence to clear his name.Why now?Brown is now saying that Gaddafi promised him four weeks before The Scottish Minister made his decision, that Megrahi's homecoming would be done on the quiet.Why were they discussing something that had'nt yet been decided?Why would Brown believe someone who has addmitted his part in the bombing and paid out millions to the victims families,and who armed and financed the IRA to kill UK innocents for years,to keep his word on his promise of a quiet homecoming?Megrahi worked for Libyan intelligence,he was linked to the suitcase that contained the bomb,and shopkeepers identified him as the man who had bought clothes that were in the same suitcase.Of course others were involved but he was the only one trapped by evidence.And Mandelsons denial of a deal speaks volumes for me,coming from a known liar and fraudster (and now a Lord and a Minister)

[Highlander]

Nearly six months on and Mr Megrahi is still with us. Strange really when you consider it was reported that his health had deteriorated markedly in mid September 2009.

[Highlander]

I dare say that people's basic views on this will not have changed over the last year, but are we not now entitled to at least question the medical advice given at the time and on which our Kenny has steadfastly hung his hat ever since.

[Scunner]

If he hadn't been sent back we'd probably be outraged by now at stories of taxpayer's money being spent on injections to ease his pain. The obvious thing to do with him was to stop paying for any care at all and chain him to a metal fence and charge a fiver (to go to the families of his victims) to anyone who wants to punch him in the face. That not being one of the options available at the time, let someone else pay for his morphine. To think of him being still here having his pillows puffed so he can more comfortably watch Cash in the Attic is far more revolting a thought than pondering how he is still alive in Libya.

[Highlander]

...but are we not now entitled to at least question the medical advice given at the time and on which our Kenny has steadfastly hung his hat ever since.

[Scunner]

People outstay their prognosis life expenctancy length every day in the UK. This sort of thing is common - normally it is good news though