UK government embroiled in 'Lockerbie row'[fr][de] 

A spokesperson explained that Gordon Brown believes the early release of the Lockerbie bomber is too sensitive to comment on, the British press reported yesterday (24 August). 

Defending the prime minister's silence, Brown's spokesman said: "Clearly, the prime minister recognises this was a very difficult decision and was clearly an extremely sensitive one, and there will be very strong feelings from the families of those people who were victims of this terrorist attack." 

The official said it was "a uniquely sensitive and difficult decision". The London government had not commented before the decision and would not comment after, he added. 

Officially, Westminster is keeping its distance from the Scottish authorities' decision to allow Megrahi to be "sent home to die". The UK insists that the Scottish government is free to decide on judicial matters, and the only criticism expressed was over the fact that Megrahi has been received in his country as a hero, although Libyan authorities had reportedly agreed that the event should be kept low-key. 

A present for the leader 

But diplomats were quoted as saying they did not believe the timing of Megrahi's release, just ahead of the 40th anniversary of 'Libya's revolution', was purely coincidental. 

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair admitted on Saturday, in an interview with CNN, that the Libyan authorities had raised Megrahi's case in all bilateral contact with UK representatives. 

"Let me make one thing absolutely clear. The Libyans, of course, were raising the case for Megrahi all the way along, not just with me but with everybody. It was a major national concern for them," Blair said. "But as I used to say to them, I don't have the power to release Mr. Megrahi," Blair added. 

Also, Gordon Brown is reported to have discussed Megrahi's case with Gaddafi at the G8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy, last July. 

Bad diplomacy is good business? 

UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband rejected claims that London gave its blessing to the Scottish government for the prisoner's release, hoping to exploit new business opportunities in the oil-rich country. 

The denial, however, was thrown into question when Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, insisted that the decision to free Megrahi was tied to trade agreements. 

"In all British interests regarding Libya, I always put you [Megrahi] on the table," Saif was reported to have said. Saif is widely seen as the next Libyan leader-in-waiting. 

Worse, Gaddafi himself poured oil on the fire, thanking the Queen, Prince Andrew and Gordon Brown for the release of Megrahi, whom he received in a highly publicised television appearance on Friday. 

Scottish government fights for survival 

In the meantime, opposition parties in Scotland were reportedly preparing to hold a no-confidence vote over the decision by Kenny MacAskill, the Scottish justice secretary, to free Megrahi. 

Scotland is governed by a minority government of the Scottish National Party (SNP), which campaigns for Scottish independence. But it not the fate of the Scottish government, but rather uncomfortable revelations, that the authorities seem to fear the most, observers said. 

'Conspiracy theories' taking centre stage 

Despite being categorised for a long time as "conspiracy theories", allegations that Megrahi might not be guilty as charged are starting to take centre stage. According to many British commentators, Megrahi was freed because the British authorities feared that a possible appeal over Megrahi's case would have declared him innocent, embarrassing the judiciary. 

Retired CIA officer Robert Baer claims that a key witness – a Maltese citizen – has been manipulated and that the appeal would have proven beyond doubt that the bombing was orchestrated by Iran (EurActiv 19/08/09). 

Professor Robert Black from the University of Edinburgh, who has followed the Lockerbie case since its beginning, said that Malta should be demanding a separate enquiry into the bombing so as to remove the blemish on the country and its airport security. Such an enquiry, he suggested, could be carried out by the European Union at Malta's behest. 

"I think the Maltese government should be pressing very hard within the EU for an enquiry into Lockerbie," Professor Black commented. 

Malta's Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg was quick to react on Sunday, saying his country had "no connection" with the Lockerbie disaster. 

Kenny MacAskill, Scotlands cabinet secretary for justice, made the following statements in Parliament yesterday, stressing that it was his decision to free Megrahi, on ‘compassionate grounds’. 

“The decisions are a consequence of the post of Justice Secretary that I am proud and privileged to hold. The applications had been lawfully made, and I was obliged to address them. Final advice from my officials was given late on Friday 14 August 2009. I reflected upon that advice before making and announcing my decisions. It was my responsibility to decide upon these two applications. They were my decisions and my decisions alone,” MacAskill said, according to the official transcript, obtained by EurActiv. 

The Scottish minister insisted that Megrahi alone took the decision to withdraw his appeal. He added that there remain concerns over the Lockerby case, hinting that it was not Scotland, but a global authority, which would eventually decide to investigate further. 

“There remain concerns to some on the wider issues of the Lockerbie atrocity. This is a global issue, and international in its nature. The questions to be asked and answered are beyond the jurisdiction of Scots law and the restricted remit of the Scottish Government. If a further inquiry were felt to be appropriate then it should be initiated by those with the required power and authority. The Scottish Government would be happy to fully co-operate in such an inquiry,” MacAskill said.