Freeing Lockerbie bomber was discussed with UK and Libya

Published on Tuesday 12 January 2010 21:29

UK MINISTERS held secret planning sessions with the Scottish Government over the consequences of the Lockerbie bomber's release, days before he was controversially freed, it has emerged.

• Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi: Freed in August. Picture: Getty

The Foreign Office conducted contingency strategy meetings with the Scottish Government, Libyan authorities and the British embassy in Libya about the possible fall-out from the release or continued captivity of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi, who was sent back to Libya by Scottish justice secretary Kenny MacAskill in August.

The disclosure – made yesterday before the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster – will raise questions over the UK government's attempts to distance itself from Mr Megrahi's release, which was made on compassionate grounds as a result of terminal prostate cancer.

Officials had fears over the safety of British residents in Tripoli if the Scottish Government decided to defy demands from the Libyan authorities under the prisoner transfer agreement and keep Mr Megrahi in prison.

He was ultimately released because of poor health rather than the agreement, which was opposed by Scottish ministers and signed at the same time as oil contracts with the former pariah state.

During a grilling by MPs of First Minister Alex Salmond, Mr MacAskill and other civil servants, it was made clear repeatedly that the UK government was given all information possible in the run-up to the decision – although the final say came from Scotland.

Mr MacAskill told MPs: "The UK government was aware because there had to be various scenario planning exercises entered into with the Foreign Office on what may happen."

Robert Gordon, civil servant at the Scottish Justice Ministry, revealed a cross-Border contingency planning session took place ten days before Mr Megrahi was released. "The Scottish Government were in touch with the Foreign Office and the UK embassy in Tripoli throughout," he said.

There had been "regular" meetings with the Libyans as well. Discussions revolved around the condition of Mr Megrahi, who was held in Greenock Prison, the treatment he was receiving, his application for transfer by the Libyan authorities and the progress of negotiations over the prisoner transfer agreement. The possibility of his freedom being granted under compassionate release had also been discussed.

Sir John Elvidge, Scotland's most senior civil servant, highlighted co-operation between the authorities. "I'm in no doubt that those parts of the UK government that needed to be aware of the timescale for the decision and the potential implication, irrespective of which way the decision went, were fully informed and fully prepared," he said.

Mr Megrahi's release plunged Scotland into a diplomatic row with the US and was attacked by politicians at Westminster as well as bereaved families. Yesterday, Mr MacAskill insisted that releasing the bomber on compassionate grounds was "the right decision for the right reasons".

Shadow Scottish Secretary David Mundell had said: "Do you have any regrets at all about the way in which this whole matter was handled?"

Mr MacAskill replied: "No. I think I was well served by the staff who worked with me and supported me. We followed the rules and guidance.

"We believe that we came to the right decision for the right reasons."