US turns up the heat over Megrahi as Scots turn against release decision

HILLARY Clinton last night declared it was "unjustifiable" that the Lockerbie bomber remained free a full year after his release, as Libyan officials boasted of the "big victory" they had won in securing his return home.

In a statement marking the first anniversary of Abdelbast Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi's release, the United States secretary of state reiterated that the man convicted of Britain's worst terrorist atrocity should be returned to Scotland to serve out the rest of his sentence.

The first anniversary of his release, she said, weighed "most heavily" on the families of the dead, who "must live every day with the loss of their loved ones."

Her comments came as US senators announced they were widening their inquiry into why Megrahi was freed, and would be writing to Libyan and Qatari officials over claims they used "commercial interests" to pressure ministers here to let him go.

And while there was no repeat of the wild celebrations that marked Megrahi's return home last year, Libyan officials declared the country's leadership was "keeping quiet while they secretly enjoy their success". The source added: "They do not need to trumpet that now."

The "noisy fight" between the US and British governments was "enough to remind Libyans and the rest of the world about our leadership's skills in scoring a big victory", the official said.

Scottish ministers continued to deny vehemently claims they had freed the bomber on any grounds other than his illness.

Megrahi, who suffers from terminal prostate cancer, was allowed to return home after doctors concluded that a three-month prognosis for his life expectancy was "a reasonable estimate".

However, a new poll yesterday found a majority of Scots now oppose the decision to release him, with public opinion over the bitterly controversial decision apparently hardening against the SNP government.

The Ipsos/Mori poll showed 54 per cent disagree with the decision to let Megrahi go home on the grounds of "compassionate release", while 35 per cent backed the decision.

The same pollsters last year found 46 per cent disagreed with the decision, as against 42 per cent who agreed.

Defending the decision, First Minister Alex Salmond said yesterday: "All we ask people to do is to accept it was a decision that was made in good faith, following the due procedures that we have under the legislation and under the tenets of Scots law."

However, senators on the US foreign relations committee said "a cloud of suspicion" lingered over the entire affair. They also indicated they would soon visit Scotland to meet justice secretary Kenny MacAskill and others involved in the decision.

Their fresh line of inquiry relates to two claims that business decisions played a role in the release. Libyan officials have publicly acknowledged that when discussing commercial contracts with UK authorities, the question of Megrahi's release was "on the table". US Senators are now writing to Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi for further information.

They also have also raised questions over a meeting Qatari officials had with Mr Salmond in which the officials lobbied for Megrahi's release. The senators are writing to the Qatari government.

Senator Robert Menendez said yesterday: "As long as there is a cloud of suspicion there will be families suffering all over again and there will be other terrorists who believe the price for spilling American blood is small."

A spokesman for Mr Salmond said the senators were "totally wrong" to suggest commercial influences had played any part in the decision.

Earlier, it appeared the plea to Libya to restrain celebrations had paid off. Megrahi's brother, Abelhakim Ali, said: "The authorities instructed us to remain silent."