Megrahi: 'MSPs must do more to probe the decision'

Published on Tuesday 25 August 2009 09:08

KENNY MacAskill didn't just appear before MSPs yesterday when he tried to justify releasing the Lockerbie bomber. The eyes of the world were on him.

And the Justice Secretary made a decent fist of it – sticking to his script and citing everyone from Archbishop Mario Conti to Henry McLeish and Sir David Steel to back up his decision.

Mr MacAskill was helped by a stilted question and answer format in a remarkably sober Holyrood. MSPs seemed to realise they were under global scrutiny and toned down the sort of rhetoric we might yet see in a full-bloodied debate.

Certainly, the issue still needs a greater hearing. The Scottish Parliament must do more to probe how the decision to release the bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi was made, and the way it was announced.

Such a debate would be about more than just politics. It must answer important judicial questions too – not least if such decisions should be taken out of the hands of politicians.

Anyone who hopes for answers to more fundamental questions about the guilt of Megrahi will have to pin their hopes on another public inquiry. Frankly, we doubt such a probe is in the interest of either the London or Edinburgh governments and it is therefore unlikely to happen.

What does seem clear is that Alex Salmond will survive this row. The opposition parties are unlikely to trigger an election, even if a vote on the Megrahi decision offers their best chance yet of defeating the SNP.

But the First Minister must fear that the image of Megrahi being welcomed as a hero by Saltire-waving Libyans will now be the defining image of his government.

A further appearance by the bomber at the 40th anniversary celebrations of Gadaffi's taking of power would make matters worse. And every day Megrahi survives beyond three months will further damage the SNP.

In the meantime, Mr MacAskill might reflect further on another source of inspiration he cited yesterday – the mace of the Scottish Parliament. It is inscribed with four words: justice, wisdom, compassion and integrity.

We have no reason to doubt the Justice Secretary's integrity – and indeed the way he addressed Holyrood reinforced the view that this lawyer by trade came to his conclusion through honourable intent.

But in seeking to show compassion, it is this newspaper's view that he showed no wisdom and made a mockery of justice. However Mr MacAskill seeks to justify the decision to send Megrahi home, it was wrong.