Freed Megrahi backs public inquiry

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Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi said it was "unfair" to the victims' families not to have an inquiry into the bombing.

Megrahi, 57, speaking from a hospital bed in his home in Tripoli, Libya, told The Herald newspaper: "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. The truth never dies. If the UK guaranteed it, I would be very supportive."

Dr Jim Swire, whose 23-year-old daughter Flora died in the disaster, has frequently called for a full public inquiry.

Megrahi added: "I would want to help Dr Swire and the others with the documents I hold. My feeling is that the UK Government will avoid a public inquiry because it would be a headache for them and the Americans, and it would show how much the Americans have been involved and it would also cost them a lot of money which they may not want to spend because of the recession."

Last week Megrahi, who has terminal prostate cancer, was allowed to leave Greenock prison to go home to Libya die.

The man who was convicted of murdering 270 people in the December 1988 bombing of Pan Am 103, returned to a hero's welcome. He had served just eight years of a 27-year sentence. The scenes provoked international condemnation.

He said he dropped his appeal in the Scottish courts because he knew he would not live to see the outcome and because he was desperate to see his family. He said there was no pressure from Libyan or Scottish authorities.

He is determined to clear his name and was scathing of the Scottish legal system. Megrahi told the paper: "I was supposed to receive a fair trial and I was supposed to be subject to fair procedure. But from day one there were delays and delays from the Crown Office."