US anger at failure to discuss release plans

Published on Friday 28 August 2009 22:49

THE international row over the release of the Lockerbie bomber has escalated after it was claimed the US administration was never asked about compassionate leave by the Scottish Government.

US attorney general Eric Holder has released his notes on the discussions he had with Scottish justice secretary Kenny MacAskill regarding the possible transfer back to Libya of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al-Megrahi.

In it he reveals he warned Mr MacAskill about the hero's reception Megrahi would receive if he was returned to Libya and also points out that at no point was the issue of compassionate release discussed.

Instead, the talks, held over the telephone between Mr Holder and Mr MacAskill on 26 June, concentrated on the option of a prisoner transfer agreement negotiated by former UK prime minister Tony Blair and Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi.

Mr MacAskill accepted US objections to the transfer because of an international agreement Megrahi would serve his sentence in Scotland, but then chose to return him to Libya anyway on the undiscussed option of compassionate release.

But a spokesman for Mr MacAskill defended the minister, arguing that the discussions had taken place before an application for compassionate release had been received on 25 July.

Meanwhile a US mayor has tried to take legal action to block Colonel Gaddafi's visit to New York next month when he addresses the United Nations General Assembly.

The legal bid which will be held today has come from Michael Wildes, mayor of Englewood, where Col Gaddafi has a house.