Lockerbie: Megrahi's release - as it happened

Published on Thursday 20 August 2009 13:34

LIVE coverage of today's announcement on the future of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi.

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• Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi released on compassionate grounds

• Plane carrying Lockerbie bomber has left Glasgow Airport and heads to Libya

• Kenny MacAskill: "I am conscious there are deeply held feelings and that many will disagree whatever my decision.... Some hurt can never heal, some scars can never fade."

• White House "deeply regrets" decision to release bomber

1616hrs: In pictures - Megrahi's release from prison. Click here to view

1600hrs: Port Glasgow resident Thomas Gorman, 58, was outside Greenock Prison as Megrahi left. He said: "He (Megrahi) should not be let out. He should die in there and send his body back to Libya the way he did with other people... He did the crime, he should die in there."

1539hrs: Details of Megrahi's plea for release made public: "I am terminally ill... Imprisonment is hastening my decline." Click here to read the full story

1527hrs: Norma Gallacher, 62, from Falkirk, was at the gates of Greenock prison when Megrahi was released this afternoon. She said: "The people of Scotland will never forget Lockerbie but we are a compassionate people. In my opinion Kenny MacAskill did the right thing. The difference between Mr Megrahi dying in Greenock and dying in Libya is that it will cost us less here if he dies in Libya."

1526hrs: The Afriqiyah Airways Airbus plane carrying Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi has taken off from Glasgow Airport and the Lockberbie bomber is now on his way to Libya. Click here to read more

Earlier, as the white van carrying Megrahi left Greenock prison a crowd of more than 80 people gathered, some shouting and some cheering.

Norma Gallacher, 62, from Falkirk said: "The people of Scotland will never forget Lockerbie but we are a compassionate people. In my opinion Kenny MacAskill did the right thing.

"The difference between Mr Megrahi dying in Greenock and dying in Libya is that it will cost us less here if he dies in Libya.

"I thought it was a very good speech."

1522hrs: Megrahi has boarded the privately-charted plane which will take him to Libya.

1521hrs: Hillary Clinton: Lockerbie decision is "deeply disappointing". Click here to read the full story

1515hrs: The police convoy escorting Megrahi has arrived at Glasgow Airport.

1505hrs: Kenny MacAskill: UK Government's actions have been "highly regrettable". Click here to read the full story

1500hrs: Scottish Tory justice spokesman Bill Aitken: "This matter has been badly handled. If there is a case for compassionate release Megrahi should not have been allowed to leave Scotland.

1447hrs: Global reaction to Lockerbie story: "Release of Megrahi would be a blow to the rule of law and also dangerous for Americans", says Forbes magazine. Click here to read more

1443hrs: Click here to read Kenny MacAskill's Lockerbie statement in full

1440hrs: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton "deeply disappointed" by Lockerbie bomber decision. Full story to follow.

1438hrs: Megrahi has left Greenock Prison in a convoy of vehicles heading for Glasgow Aiwport.

1437hrs: Chartered plane which will take Megrahi to Libya has landed at Glasgow Airport.

1428hrs: 'Now we may never know the truth behind Lockerbie bombings', says victim's mother. Click here to read the full story

1423hrs: The Scottish Government would fully cooperate with a full public inquiry into the Lockerbie bombings, said Mr MacAskill. "There remain concerns to some on the wider issues of the Lockerbie atrocity," he said. "This is a global issue, and international in its nature. The questions to be asked and answered are beyond the jurisdiction of Scots law and the restricted remit of the Scottish Government.

"If a further inquiry were felt to be appropriate, then it should be initiated by those with the required power and authority.

"The Scottish Government would be happy to fully co-operate in such an inquiry."

1415hrs: Victim's sister condems decision - click here to read full story

1400hrs: US Government hits out at Lockerbie bomber decision. Click here to read the full story

1356hrs: "I think it's an absolutely horrible decision" - Kara Weipz, who lost her student brother Rick, 20, in the atrocity

1351hrs: David Cameron criticises "nonsensical" decision. Click here to read the full story

1348hrs: United States "deeply regrets" the decision to release Megrahi, says the White House.

1344hrs: David Cameron: "I think this is wrong and it's the product of some completely nonsensical thinking, in my view."

1335hrs: MacAskill: "I am conscious that he has committed the worst atrocities that our people have ever faced... but we have beliefs and values as a country. We have to act with mercy even if he has shown none... We should not debase ourselves."

1326hrs: Vote in our polls page:

• Was the Scottish government right to release the Lockerbie bomber on compassionate grounds?

• Will the decision damage US and Scottish diplomatic relations?

• Will the decision have a positive affect on Scotland's standing in the Arab world?

1325hrs: Statement ends. Mr MacAskill is now taking questions from the press.

1324hrs: "... for these reasons, and these reasons alone, it is my decision that Mr Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi... be released on compassionate grounds and allowed to return to Libya to die."

1323hrs: "... no compassion was shown by him (Megrahi] to his victims. But that alone is not a reason for us not to show compassion to him in his dying days. Or justice system demands that justice be imposed but compassion be shown...

1322hrs: "... Mr Megrahi now faces a sentence handed down by a far higher power. It is terminal and irrevocable... he is going to die...

1321hrs: "... Scotland will forever remember the crime which has been perpetrated against our people and those from many other lands... some hurt can never heal, some scars can never fade. Those that have been bereaved cannot be expected to forget, or to forgive...

1320hrs: "... he may die sooner; he may live longer. I can only make my decision on the evidence made available to me...

1320hrs: "... a three month prognosis is a reasonable estimate...

1319hrs: "... it is the opinion of SPS doctors who have dealt with him prior to and following the diagnoses of prostate cancer that his condition has deteriorated significantly... his disease is resistant to any treatment options of known effectiveness. Concensus and prognosis has moved to the lower end of expecation...

1318hrs: "... it is quite clear to the medical experts that he (Megrahi] has a terminal illness and that there has been a recent decline in his health...

1317hrs: "... (Scottish Prison Service] guidelines make it clear that all prisoners, irrespective of sentence, are eligible for release on compassionate grounds...

1316hrs: "... it is for that reason that I reject the prisoner transfer request".

1313hrs: "... the UK Government declined to discuss any arrangements made prior to trial or any discussions or agreements made between the UK and US Governments... the American families and the American Government had an expectation that there would be no prisoner transfer agreement...

1311hrs: "... I have noted and considered all the points presented and all the written representations I received... it was clear that both the US Government and the US families objected to the prisoner transfer. They did so on the basis of agreements made, prior to trial, concerning the sentence arrangements in the light of any conviction...

1309hrs: "... I have received numerous letters and representations and realise that a decision on transfer would be of significant influence on the persons the decision would affect... I am grateful to each and every one (of the victims' families I consulted with] for their fortitude...

1308hrs: "... there remains concerns to some on the wider questions of the Lockerbie convictions. The questions that need to be asked and answered fall beyond the remit of Scots law and the Scottish Government ...

1307hrs: "... my decisions are predicated on the fact that he was properly investigated; a lawful conviction passed and a life sentence imposed. I realise that the abandonment of the appeal has caused great concern to many...

1305hrs: "... when such an appalling crime is perpetrated it is appropriate that a severe sentence be imposed...

1304hrs: "... the applications (Megrahi to be moved from Greenock prison to Libya under a prisoner transfer agreement; Megrahi to be released early on compassionate grounds] have been lawfully made and it is my responsibility to decide on these applications. These are my decisions and my decisions alone...

1303hrs: "On 21 December 1988, 270 men, women and children were cruelly murdered by an explosion...

1302hrs: Kenny MacAskill is speaking now...

1300hrs: No deals done over Megrahi's release, says the Foreign Office.

1259hrs: Lockerbie - the story in pictures

1253hrs: BBC reports that an aeroplane assigned to take Megrahi to Libya has flown from Tripoli to London Stansted airport and will fly to Glasgow Airport upon confirmation of his release.

1251hrs: A Scottish Government spokesperson dismisses television news reports that Megrahi's release is imminent as "complete speculation".

1241hrs: Scottish Justice minister Kenny MacCaskill due to make a statement on Megrahi's future at 1pm. It is expected he will announce the release of convicted Lockerbie bomber.

Mr MacAskill will make the announcement at the Scottish Government's ministerial headquarters in Edinburgh.

He has been considering two applications – one for Megrahi to be moved from Greenock prison to Libya under a prisoner transfer agreement, and a separate application for him to be released early on compassionate grounds. The latter course would see him return home a free man.