Show compassion

Surely the phrase “alive and well” has never been more mis-used, or should that be abused, as in references to the current health of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi (your report, 20 August).

While not wishing to diminish in any way the extent of the horrendous crime that was deliberately committed, although technically he may be alive, I doubt there are many who are using Megrahi’s current “well-being” to criticise the actions of Kenny MacAskill and the Scottish Government who, even from the limited pictures we have seen, would wish to swap their own state of health for his.

Such simple observation and assessment, though, would seem beyond our acutely perceptive “opposition leader”, Iain Gray, who refers to a clearly very sick man who has been pushed out in a wheelchair, possibly against his wishes and those of the doctors who are administering the latest available drugs to prevent his heart from finally stopping, as a “cheerleader”.

It seems a pity for all sincerely concerned with Scotland’s reputation around the world that those of our politicians who are reluctant to endorse the exercising of compassion by our government do not at least demonstrate some accuracy, honesty and integrity in their comments and analyses of what understandably remains for many a highly sensitive matter.

Stan Grodynski

Cairnsmore

Longniddry, East Lothian