Tonight:
9°c
Absolutely wrong to free Lockerbie bomber says Hillary Clinton
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor19.08.09
Hillary Clinton today warned the Scottish government it would be “absolutely wrong” to free the man convicted over the Lockerbie bombing.
The US secretary of state issued a last-ditch plea to keep Libyan Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi in jail amid reports that he is due to be released tomorrow.
Mrs Clinton said: “We are still encouraging the Scottish authorities not to do so and we hope that they will not.” Megrahi, who has terminal prostate cancer, dropped his appeal against conviction yesterday amid mounting speculation he could be moved to Libya within days on compassionate grounds.
It also emerged today that Prince Andrew may have discussed the case with Colonel Gaddafi. The Duke of York flew to Libya and met its leader at least three times in the past year as Britain's special trade representative.
The reports fuel suspicions that the prince played a behind the scenes role in smoothing the path for the release from jail of Megrahi.
Gordon Brown was also accused of rushing through the ratification of a treaty with Tripoli as part of a British push to protect oil interests in Libya.
Kenny MacAskill, the Scottish justice secretary, is to decide on the fate of Megrahi, a former Libyan intelligence agent who is serving a life sentence after being convicted of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which killed 270 people in 1988.
Mrs Clinton, who has already phoned Mr MacAskill to say Megrahi should serve out his sentence in Scotland, said: “It is absolutely wrong to release someone who has been imprisoned based on the evidence about his involvement in such a horrendous crime.” British relatives' spokesman Dr Jim Swire, who lost his daughter Flora, criticised Mrs Clinton's intervention as the “intervention of ignorance, a voice from the previous regime”. He believes there is “highly credible evidence” which casts doubt on the Lockerbie verdict.
Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond said “there will be no consideration of international power politics or anything else” in the decision of the justice secretary.
Reader views (22)
There really are some thoughtless, misguided comments here, purely here to have a go at the US at whatever cost. Whilst each victim is horrendous and I in no way devalue any loss of life, 140 Americans were killed in the Lockerbie bombing. Almost 3 times the number of Brits (52 including Lockerbie itself) and almost 3.5 times the total of all other nationalities on board. It was an American plane and American airline and was felt throughout the US, as in the UK. We do not have a monopoly on grief as many here seem to think. Clinton is absolutely within her rights to make official or unofficial comments or requests for this man to be kept in jail. Any less would be a betrayal of the American victims whether the man is released or not. If the verdict is considered dubious then it is up to the Scottish government to re-examine the case and admit any mistakes made. Currently though, this is the man convicted by the Scottish courts for an atrocious crime and thus, in the eyes of the law, the person under discussion. And BTW I’m British before the arrogant American telling us what to do comments start.
- James, London, UK
How ironic that the Home Office said that Ronnie Biggs was thought still to be a danger to the public and should never be released for robbing a train but a mass murderer is being released on compassionate grounds to go home to die. There is only one place this piece of worthless trash should die and that is in prison. It's a shame he wasn't tried and convicted in America (and I am no lover of the Americans)- at least they have the bottle to dispose of low lifes like this murderer. Shame we haven't got the same bottle.
- Louie, London, South East
isnt it amazing how much the americans(clintons) have to say on other countries problems. Firstly North Korea now Scotland? when will they realise that they have more problems closer to home than England! The proof was sketchy to say the least and was not conclusive so giving the guy a month in his own country wont alter things too much surely! if scottish people can forgive and forget then shouldnt the rest of the world!
- Scott, blackpool
Michael, no way was it a kangaroo court. Megrahi was found guilty, unanimously, by seven Scottish judges. His appeal was thrown out by several more judges. Can you seriously believe that so many experienced judges could be all wrong? It's unbelievable, as the Amercans say, that his release is even being considered.How can we know for sure that he is on his deathbed? Have all you America-haters no compassion for all those Americans lost on that plane? Hilary Clinton is sticking up for their families and is absolutely 100% correct.
- Brian Carson, Edinburgh Scotland
He was convicted of the crime, he should serve his sentence, if he dies in prison, tough luck. There should be no question about releasing him, but Im annoyed at the way the US gov. have been trying to tell the Scottish gov. how to behave in this matter.
- Billy, Glasgow
Leaving aside the suspect nature of the conviction for one moment, how can people condemn as sick and immoral the obvious lack of compassion and conscience shown by such an individual, yet then go on to display the same lack of compassion themselves?. Hypocritical maybe?. The Lockerbie victims were not allowed to die in peace with their families. What better way to show the world how far we are removed from those who choose to cowardly maim and kill than to afford them the compassion they so easily and cruelly deny others. The very last thing we should be doing is to use their skewed morality as a benchmark for our own behaviour.
- Neil, Fife, Scotland
Hilary Clinton, Is this the wife of the man who brokered the good friday agreement?
Convicted Terrorists freed, sorry my mistake, different clinton I am sure.
- David, Colchester England
Had Senator Ted Kennedy, et al, been as diligent about staunching the flow of American money, which went to support the IRA, there would have been fewer bodies shovelled off the streets of Northern Ireland, and into bin-bags, as a result of indiscriminate, IRA bombings. The UK signed an extradition treaty in good expectation, of being able to extradite IRA members with blood on their hands. But Congress refuses to ratify the treaty, and have used it heavy handedly and unjustly against the likes of the Nat-West Three, and Gary McKinnon. So Megrahi gets to home again, in lieu of efforts to make alternative arrangements, to keep him in Scotland with his family.
- Charles Smyth, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Since when has the UK been part of the American administration? Or did I miss something?
BL
- Brian Lovett, hastings uk
If he was sentenced in America he'd have probaly got the death penalty. I think he should be released, when he dies.
- Jim, Cambs
If he is terminally ill he should be allowed to die in his own country>Few in Europe believe he should shoulder the full responsibility for what happened>The US once again want to impose their views on the world>If the US would stop believing it's the world's policeman and stop placing individuals such as the heads of Afganistan and Libya then many would be happier> For me bring back the cold war period when heads of state (HoS)had to consider their actions before they instructed other to perform such tasks>Some may remember when JFK turned back USSR missiles to Cuba, the world trembled for a few days>Trouble is today none of the HoS have got what it takes> Simple maybe to act as the US did a just few years back but now the world pays with lives sadly only a disproportionate % of their own>
- N J Rush, Paris France
prince andrew?following daddys footsteps god help us,the goverment is rotten enough let,s have public voting. the monachy dosen,t exist
- Basil, bussiere poitevine 87320 france
He should be freed, if only to make it absolutely clear that the British courts will not be dictated to by the United States or its malicious spokespersons.
- Nathan, Walton on thames, UK
The yanks have it right, if you are found guilty that's it, not as we have in this country any excuse to free them. Megrahi has never shown any remorse or compassion and should receive the same in return. Those who want to free him are just weak and allowing other attacks on our nation. Punishment acts as a deterrent. Please throw away the keys and do the same to any other terrorists planing evil acts in GB
- Gary, Brentwood
I have reservations about his conviction being safe, and about evidence that wasn't presented, but not being party to any Court procedings, must rely on comment gleaned from the media. In response to other posts hereon, where was Bush/Blairs compassion in Iraq towards and the hundreds of thousands that can't go home there. All because of some power mad little jugins's desire to show Saddam had WMD's. At least two people, who became very rich because of politics, can go home to their families, having caused the aforementioned deaths, but for what?
- Alan, carlisle uk
I used to respect Hilary Clinton. Alas no more! Yes it would suit a lot of people for al-Megrahi to die in jail. Only one problem - it appears extremely unlikey that he is guilty! However politics and honesty have never gone hand in hand! Let him die in peace with his family and go after the guilty.
- Michael, London
Laura,
If British justice had never killed or imprisoned a single individual then I would agree with you, but there is a lot about this chaps trial and the evidence either used or suppressed, which makes me feel uneasy about this man's guilt.
Both the UK and the US have now got a very cosy relationship with Libya and guess what Libya have got and lots of it!
There are IRA killers still living in the US with impunity because the US refuse to deport them so for once the Americans should ante-up or shut-up!
- Mark, South-East London
I would hate to think what foul and loathsome deal Mandelson is striking that involves this man being part of the price.
- Amazonmothe, hasting
Funny that non-Scots want him to rot, while Scots generally feel he should be allowed home. He got a poor trial and even a cursory look at the 'evidence' shows he should never have been convicted. Releasing him to die will be far less embarassing than looking again at the facts!
- Dc, London (ex Scotland)
I 'absolutely' agree with Hilary Clinton, it's absurd that his release should even be considered. What is wrong with the justice system? He clearly had no conscience or compassion over the deaths of all those innocent people so he should die a slow and painful death locked up in prison.
- Laura, London
He was convicted by a kangaroo court.
Let him go home to die with his family.
- Michael, Glasgow
Where was his compassion when he killed 270 people? They cannot go home to their families who waited in vain for them to return. How can Scotland do this terrible thing to their own people by even considering his release and repatriation.
THe amount of suffering he has caused cannot be measured but if he suffers now maybe that is his just desserts.
- Linda Harris, London
