Churches call for free vote on release row

RELIGIOUS leaders in Scotland have called on MSPs to hold a free vote over whether it was right to send the Lockerbie bomber home on compassionate grounds.

The call, by Glasgow Roman Catholic Archbishop Mario Conti and the Rev Ian Galloway of the Church of Scotland, came before a debate in the Scottish Parliament next Wednesday on the decision, by justice secretary Kenny MacAskill.

They both argue that the question of whether Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi should have been released is a question of personal conscience because it depends on an individual's views of compassion. They argue it would be wrong for party whips to make the decisions for MSPs.

A spokesman for Archbishop Conti said: "Parliament should be free to express itself on this issue without the interference of party whips."

Mr Galloway added: "I would hope it would not be decided by the parties, and MSPs would have the opportunity to reflect themselves on the issues."

Both made it clear on Monday that they supported Mr MacAskill's decision. Their latest intervention comes as further evidence has emerged of divisions within party ranks.

Labour MSP Malcolm Chisholm attacked his party leadership and others for "politicising" the decision and made it clear he disagreed with leader Iain Gray that Megrahi should not have gone back to Libya.

It is understood at least three Liberal Democrat MSPs believe Megrahi should have gone home, despite the leadership's position. Only veteran MSP John Farquhar Munro has said so publicly.

In addition, not all SNP MSPs joined in the applause for Mr MacAskill during his emergency statement on Monday.

David Kerr, the SNP candidate for the Glasgow North-east by-election, said last night he initially disagreed with the decision, but went on: "

It is now clear to me, and I believe a growing number of people in Scotland, that the justice secretary took the right decision, and above all, he took it for the right reasons."

The Conservatives said the free vote call made no difference because all their MSPs opposed the release, and Labour claimed that Mr Chisholm was alone in agreeing with Mr MacAskill.

The SNP is expected to decide its position in the light of the wording of the motion and a Liberal Democrat spokesman said that the party wanted the vote to concentrate on the "handling of the affair".