Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi: ‘I am an innocent man. I ask to be left in peace with my family’

“I’M a quiet man. I never had any problem with anybody.” – Interview with reporters shown during his 2001 trial

• “Many people, including the relatives of those who died in, and over, Lockerbie, are, I know, upset that my appeal has come to an end; that nothing more can be done about the circumstances surrounding the Lockerbie bombing.

• “I share their frustration. I had most to gain and nothing to lose about the whole truth coming out – until my diagnosis of cancer.” – Statement released through his lawyers after dropping appeal in August 2009

• “On 10 August [2009], MacAskill and his senior civil servants met a delegation of Libyan officials, including Minister [Abdel Ati] Al-Obeidi. By this time I was desperate.

“After the meeting the Libyan delegation came to the prison to visit me. [Abdel Ati al-] Obeidi [then Libya’s minister for Europe] said that, towards the end of the meeting, MacAskill had asked to speak to him in private. Once the others had withdrawn, MacAskill told him it would be easier for him to grant compassionate release if I dropped my appeal.” – Extract from the book Megrahi: You Are My Jury

• “I support the issue of a public inquiry if it can be agreed. In my view, it is unfair to the victim’s families that this has not been heard. It would help them to know the truth. As I said, the truth never dies. If the UK guaranteed it, I would be very supportive. I would want to help Dr Swire and the others with the documents I hold.” – Interview from his sickbed in Libya in August 2009

• “I am an innocent man. I am about to die and I ask now to be left in peace with my family.” – Last interview, December 2011