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Gordon Brown: No plot, no cover-up and no oil deal with Libya
Joe Murphy and Paul Waugh2 Sep 2009
Gordon Brown today insisted there had been "no cover up, no double-dealing, no deal for oil" over the release of the Lockerbie bomber.
The Prime Minister moved to defend his conduct in the affair, stressing that he had not given Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi any "assurances" that Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi would be freed from jail.
But Mr Brown faced fresh attacks from Opposition leader David Cameron after it emerged that Tripoli had been told that the Prime Minister did not "want" the convicted terrorist to die in a Scottish prison.
Megrahi, who was convicted of the murder of 270 people in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988, was released last month and returned to a hero's welcome in his home country.
The Scottish government said its decision to free him was on compassionate grounds because the 57-year-old has terminal prostate cancer.
Today Foreign Secretary David Miliband confirmed that the Libyans had been told privately that neither he nor Mr Brown had wanted Megrahi to die in jail.
The Prime Minister said that it was in Britain's national interest to get Libya back into the international fold and that the over-riding issue was to curb its nuclear weapons plans, and hinted that the Foreign Office had signalled it would not oppose Megrahi's release.
He said: "It is in all our interests and Britain's national interest that Libya rejoins the international community. Relationships between Libya and Britain matter for the security of our country.
"So it was the duty of those responsible to look at all possible outcomes of the Megrahi case and their effect on our relations with Libya and on international terrorism and nuclear proliferation."
However, he denied that the UK's refusal to stop the release of the bomber had any connection with oil and gas deals signed with British companies.
"There was no conspiracy, no cover-up, no double dealing, no deal on oil, no attempt to instruct Scottish ministers, no private assurances by me to Colonel Gaddafi," Mr Brown told an audience in Birmingham.
Mr Brown stopped short of confirming that he had favoured releasing the terrorist before his death.
But he went on: "Did we as a Government say we would try to stop the Scottish Executive and force Megrahi to die in prison?
"No, we did not do so, and did not have the power to do so - and that was the right thing to do.
"There was never a linkage between any other issue and the Scottish Government's decision about Megrahi's future. Our interest throughout has been to strengthen the coalition against international terrorism."
Video: Gordon Brown answers Lockerbie questions
Mr Cameron seized on Mr Miliband's admission as proof that Mr Brown had given Libya the nod that he would not stand in the way of Megrahi's release.
The Tory leader, who stepped up his call for a public inquiry, said he would have let Megrahi die in a cell.
"We are talking here about someone who was convicted of murdering 270 people, who has served in jail less than two weeks for each of those people who were killed.
"He showed no compassion to his victims, they weren't allowed to go and die at home in their beds," Mr Cameron said.
Video: David Cameron says minister must 'be straight
Mr Miliband today confirmed that former Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell had told his Libyan counterpart in February that the British government did not want to see Megrahi die in jail.
"We did not want him to die in prison. No, we weren't seeking his death in prison," Mr Miliband told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
SNP leader Alex Salmond said the remarks were proof that Labour's position on the row was now "totally and utterly ludicrous".
The Scottish Labour party has savaged the SNP-led government in Edinburgh for its decision to free Megrahi.
The Prime Minister said that when he met Col Gadaffi this year, he had told him that he could not give him "any comfort" about the prisoner's fate.
He said: "I said to him, whatever his sympathies and those of others, this was a decision that would be made in a judicial context by the Scottish government."
He added: "Would it have been right to have spoken publicly about the issue before the decision when it was a matter for the Scottish government? No, we would have been wrong to intervene.
After the decision was made, and after the despicable scenes at Tripoli airport, was I right to use my energies to minimise further unnecessary suffering for the relatives of Lockerbie victims and to prevent Libyan independence day being made into a celebration of Megrahi's return? Yes, and as we saw yesterday, he did not appear at those events."
However, a video of Megrahi being welcomed on his arrival in Tripoli was shown in the Libyan capital as part of the celebrations of Gaddafi's 40 years in power.
Reader views (34)
Linda Rees Bygrave, bigots come in all shapes and sizes. The continual back biting of politicians is not limited to Cameron and the Tories, listen carefully to any New Labour MP and the constant comparison to the previous Tory Government, of 12 years ago, and the dismal situation that exists now.
- J R J, Glen Vine, 03/09/2009 09:23
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The whole sodding bunch of them are inveterate liars,roll on the next election when we can consign the lot of them to the dustbin of history were they belong.
- Roy.C, wigan.england., 02/09/2009 23:15
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I find it very difficult to take David Cameron seriously,he always looks for the cheap jibe and has no compunction about using sensitive issues to try and score points against Labour.If Cameron was a real statesman he would avoid pointless comments in the media and instead try to really understand the issue.This is what happens when a PR man becomes leader of a party. Gordon may be tired and flawed but at least he is REAL.
- Linda Rees Bygrave, Sherborne Dorset, 02/09/2009 19:02
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Keith Price: "Kevin, the Tories were in power at the time, not Labour.John Major could have looked at it, buy he chose not to."
Are you Nuliebour's mysterious history revisionist, rewriting history to form the current "narrative"?
Al Megrahi was tried and imprisoned in 2001, under Billy Liar (and when NuLiebour were still in power in Scotland).
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 02/09/2009 18:30
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Can I ask why anybody thinks Brown did not influence the Scottish Parliament? He is a Scottish MP and has a vote at Holyrood!
- Mark, London, 02/09/2009 17:20
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Just one more thing. Was the man released from prison the same man who went in?
- Peter Seekings-Foster, Mildenhall, Suffolk., 02/09/2009 17:01
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Irrespective of the Guilt or Innocence of Mr Magrahey, why should anyone beleive anything that Pa McRuin-Broone says anymore. All the Liar-boring hiarchy are unmitigated 'Purveyors of Tall Tales'. From Teflon B'Liar, to Lord Mendacious, to Milipede, to ManStraw-Jack, and of course our Illustrious and Beloved of All, Gordo McDoom.
Anyone who beleives anything any of these people say, really need to get their heade read!!
- Uncle Vanya, East Anglia Area UK, 02/09/2009 16:51
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I think it is very frightening that he was possibly innocent, as it means the real culprit(s) are still out there, and that an innocent man spent all those years in prison.
- P Staker, Kensington, 02/09/2009 15:28
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Megrahi was tried and found guilty in a trial that attracted international scrutiny. There is no evidence that the trial was flawed. Megrahi has lost one appeal against his conviction and has rightly been released on compassionate gorounds as a dying man. Brown's problem is that he seems to have been tellng different people different things and has infuriated our closaest ally, the US. US haters may baulk at the idea but we need the US on our side much more than we need Lybia. I do not think many people in this country truly subscribe to the notion of crimes being expunged by the payment of blood money. Are blood jobs and blood oil supplies any different?
- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK, 02/09/2009 15:20
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Can anyone seriously believe anything brown or Liebour say, we now have b liar confirming the issue was raised at every meeting. Its really simple, BP wanted a deal done and this was the price, mandy the de facto PM arranged things with b liar's direction and brainless brown is left to carry the can, as for the Americans what goes round comes round.
- Alan Davey, London UK, 02/09/2009 15:15
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Regardless of whether Al Megrahi should have been released. David Cameron is showing a telling lack of judgement on behalf of this nation, in trying to make political capital out of this event.
He should realise that the job of doing what is best for Britain is required now, not after the next election.
Bashing incompetent Brown and Nu-Labour should be an easy enough job, without having to shoot oneself in the foot.
- Harry H, London UK, 02/09/2009 15:09
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Brilliant, Gordon has finally cracked it! He asks himself his own questions at the press conference! So that's all OK then?
- Paul, London, 02/09/2009 15:03
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Loved the shot of Gordon before he rose to speak. His head was totally obscured by the podium, conjuring up in ones mind comparisons between him and a headless chicken. It is said if you chop off a chicken`s head it will run round in circles before it finally expires. Spot on!
- B Gare, Norfolk Gorleston, 02/09/2009 14:54
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It is important to all mankind to have forgiveness and to be progressive planners and thinkers, so we do not harbor grudges that can only hinder progressive relationships between people in general or relationships between other counties leaders.
Yes, we all know that the need to gain access to the ‘Libyan Oil Fields’ must have been a controlling factor. As to the Americans and others complaining about the release Megrahi on a par with their acts to gain access to the Iraq Oil Fields is ‘Pot Kettle Black’ is it not? Many thousands of innocent people killed for access to Oil.
Governments of all countries need to learn how to work together for the betterment of all.
As to the celebrations of leader Colonel Gaddafi's 40 years in power, at least he is a man amongst men and a true leader of men. Whilst we may not approve of his methods he has control, whereas here in the UK and in the US these Governments and leaders have lost control to street gangs and mobsters.
Signed Carl Barron Chairman of agpcuk
- Carl Barron, Christchurch, Dorset, 02/09/2009 14:51
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"So why was he convicted? And if new evidence had come to light, why wasn't the case re-opened and looked at by a judge? Does Labour just bypass the courts now?"
Kevin, the Tories were in power at the time, not Labour.John Major could have looked at it, buy he chose not to.
- Keith Price, Luton England, 02/09/2009 14:32
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Colin from Bristol, you will be a Nuliebour supporter then.
- David, Fleet UK, 02/09/2009 13:54
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Yet again Gormless Gordon has commited an act of treason against the British people. Why on earth is the Queen doing nothing about it as it is abundantly clear that the VAST MAJORITY of her subjects want this clown out
- Trevn, Abu Dhabi, 02/09/2009 13:52
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Broon may not personally have intervened in the bombers release. One of his minions could well have done so on his behalf, leaving Broon able to profess his innocense.
- Rosemary Mitchell, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, 02/09/2009 13:38
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commenting on Scotland's jurisdiction would not have been right. under the basis of the devolution of power to the Scottish assembly (whether you agree with this or not) clearly the Govt that devolved it's power commenting on the Scottish legal process would be seen as interfering and potentially affecting any future legal process....
- Martin_Clerkenwell, london, 02/09/2009 13:24
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It's all in the emphasis really - what Millibad actually meant was that, althouh he didn't particularly want him released, Brown wasn't determined that Megrahi should die in prison. That doesn't some across in this story.
- Alan, London, 02/09/2009 13:12
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I,ve had a good idea...let Gordon Brown take Megrahi's
place in prison and if he wants release on compassionate
grounds in years to come,REFUSE IT.
- Derek, Oliva (Valencia) Spain, 02/09/2009 13:08
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where's the smoking gun?
appears a junior minister stated to the Libyans that the Prime Minister was not looking for the prisoner to die in prison. This to me is a diplomatic answer to a direct question and not a clear statement that the UK Govt wanted his release.....
The minister also made clear that the decision was not to be made by the UK Govt but by Scotland..which they duly did based on a principle they have in place to allow dying prisoners to return home when on the point of death....
the issue is whether Scotland's policy is the right way to behave and whether it should not have applied in this case...
- Martin_Clerkenwell, london, 02/09/2009 12:54
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Putting aside any question of innocence in this case Brown has again demonstrated his arrogance. He refused to comment to the British public, he then lied, then he rounded out a typical performance by refusing to acceot that he should take any responsibility or may have been wrong. Mr. Brown you are employed to represent the views of the British people. Follow them and resign now!
- Mark, London, 02/09/2009 12:19
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Listen, face up - what does this country need? No power, no fuel, no lighting, no transport, a dire economy? Or a dying man in prison convicted because the americans simply wanted some one convicted. Get real and move on! We don't live in a perfect world.
- Mc, London, 02/09/2009 12:16
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Megrahi has left the country,end of story,lets move forward.
- Colin, Bristol, 02/09/2009 12:04
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Get the facts right. Brown did NOT want Megrahi freed,but he didn't want him to die in prison (thus becoming a martyr) which is entirely different. When Megrahi was in his last few hours of life, then and only then, could he be transported to Tripoli to die there.
- Jb Sussex, hove sussex uk, 02/09/2009 11:48
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Posters, you will recognise Keith Price in public, he is the monkey with the red rosette.
- David, Fleet UK, 02/09/2009 11:39
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"As Austen says, there is absolutely no eveidence that Megrahi did the bombing, so holding on to him was wrong anyway."
So why was he convicted? And if new evidence had come to light, why wasn't the case re-opened and looked at by a judge? Does Labour just bypass the courts now?
So what if he was terminally ill? If Peter Sutcliffe is diagnosed with terminal cancer next week, do you want him released?
If you commit mass-murder, you should die in jail. If you're found to be innocent, your case is re-examined legally. The government has behaved improperly and disgracefully.
- Kevin T, Beckenham, Kent, 02/09/2009 11:34
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What does McBroon have instead of a moral compass?
- St, London, 02/09/2009 11:14
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As Austen says, there is absolutely no eveidence that Megrahi did the bombing, so holding on to him was wrong anyway. He is terminally ill so he was correctly released, whatever American opinion feels about it.
As for David's comments, he would blame Gordon Brown for Jordan's behaviour and the weather in England, so it is best to pay no heed to him.
- Keith Price, Luton England, 02/09/2009 10:35
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How much more filth can one failed government get in broiled in?
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 02/09/2009 10:34
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Of course we must think of the poor man’s human rights, we couldn't violate those could we, I mean, it's not as though he's a mass murderer or anything is it? Unless of course he wasn't and he was "fitted up" and this is all smoke and mirrors to avoid an enquiry because he appealed?
- Bob, Cheam, 02/09/2009 09:47
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Everything Gordon Brown does is the complete opposite to what the common man wants! Raises taxes, cuts services, illegal wars - and now freeing terrorists after a mere 8 years for the killing of 250 people.
When will it stop? We know he has no decency as he should have disapeared with his massive pension a long time ago.
And - why is the queen being so gutless? She can see how bad a job he is doing and destroying the UK's image both here and abroad - its time for action.
- David Cuff, Manchester, 02/09/2009 08:28
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Does anyone really believe that Megrahi was responsible for putting a bomb on the plane that crashed onto Lockerbie? Allowing a terminally-ill man to go free on condition that he dropped his appeal is very convenient.
- Austen, London, 02/09/2009 07:05
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