Lockerbie bomber: Full inquiry if fresh evidence emerges

DAVID Cameron has not ruled out a full independent inquiry into the release of the Lockerbie bomber, it emerged yesterday.

Diplomats in Washington conceded that if fresh evidence came to light of backroom deals over the release, a "proper investigation" would be rolled out.

The acknowledgment came after Mr Cameron faced the wrath of US senators who are demanding a no-holds-barred inquiry, amid accusations that the affair is linked to UK oil deals with Libya.

Mr Cameron had used a press conference on Tuesday evening with Barack Obama to insist that it had been the Scottish Government which had freed the bomber, and that the decision had been made entirely above board.

But that has failed to dampen US calls for an inquiry into the way the UK Government separately dealt with the case. The accusation is that a lucrative oil deal for BP with Libya, negotiated by Tony Blair, was dependent on a Prisoner Transfer Agreement, allowing Megrahi to apply to return home.

The Prime Minister revealed on Tuesday that he will ask Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell to go through all the papers relating to the release.

However, a spokesman for the British Embassy in Washington said: "If evidence comes to light that casts any doubt on (the handling of the case], then the Prime Minister's clear - it should be properly investigated."