Minister slams doubts over Megrahi

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Kenny MacAskill spoke out as footage emerged of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi in his hospital bed.

The minister was in Falkirk for his first official engagement since the decision to release the cancer-stricken bomber on compassionate grounds.

He also made it clear that trade deals with Libya had no bearing on his decision. It followed disclosures that UK Justice Secretary Jack Straw decided two years ago that it was in the UK's "overwhelming interests" not to exclude Megrahi from a prisoner transfer agreement.

He wrote to his Scottish counterpart explaining that he had changed his mind about the need to exempt the terrorist from the deal in the light of "wider negotiations" with the Libyans.

Questions were also being raised about whether Downing Street had approved the move to include Megrahi in the agreement.

Megrahi was released after medical advice obtained by Mr MacAskill indicated that he had less than three months to live - but Labour has raised questions over this and the extent of the advice sought.

But Mr MacAskill said: "The medical advice I got was from the director of health and social care from the Scottish Prison Service. He did not do this on a whim and fancy. The report he provided to me was based on information he got from a variety of people who treated Mr Megrahi before, during and after matters took a turn for the worse. I don't seek to challenge the report from the director. I do think it's a matter for regret that some opposition parties do seem to be seeking to undermine him."

The minister said he was "not medically qualified" to comment on pictures which emerged on Sunday of Megrahi in a hospital bed attached to a drip and wearing an oxygen mask. The footage, broadcast on Sunday night by Channel 4 News, showed the bomber propped up on pillows, unshaven, and hooked up to tubes and a monitor. A picture of Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi hung on the wall and a copy of the Koran lay beside his bed.

When asked by a reporter if his release was related to an oil deal signed two years ago, he croaked a refusal to answer.