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20/07/2010
PM Meets Senators Over Lockerbie Release
Prime Minister David Cameron has agreed to meet with four US senators to discuss concerns over the release of the Lockerbie bomber.
The announcement comes amid allegations that oil company BP had lobbied the previous Labour government for the release of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi.
BP, which is facing considerable pressure in the US over the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, had admitted that it lobbied the government in 2007 over the potential negative impact on the UK's commercial interests caused by slow progress on a prisoner transfer agreement with Libya. However, the company has denied that al-Megrahi was specifically discussed.
In 2001, Al-Megrahi was convicted of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 which exploded over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in December 1988, killing 270 people, most of whom were American.
In August last year, the Scottish Executive granted the release of al-Megrahi on compassionate ground as he was suffering from prostate cancer.
Mr Cameron is travelling to the US for a two-day tour - his first visit since becoming Prime Minister. He will hold talks with President Barack Obama, which are expected to focus on the war in Afghanistan, the Gulf oil spill and the release of al-Megrahi.
A spokesman for Mr Cameron said: "The Prime Minister recognises the strength of feeling and knows how important it is to reassure the families of the victims. "
Mr Cameron told National Public Radio in Washington that he believed that al-Megrahi should have died in jail and that the decision to release him was wrong.
Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Mr Cameron also described himself as "unapologetically pro-America", but stressed that he would be "hard-headed and realistic" in his dealings with the US.
(KMcA/GK)
The announcement comes amid allegations that oil company BP had lobbied the previous Labour government for the release of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi.
BP, which is facing considerable pressure in the US over the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, had admitted that it lobbied the government in 2007 over the potential negative impact on the UK's commercial interests caused by slow progress on a prisoner transfer agreement with Libya. However, the company has denied that al-Megrahi was specifically discussed.
In 2001, Al-Megrahi was convicted of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 which exploded over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in December 1988, killing 270 people, most of whom were American.
In August last year, the Scottish Executive granted the release of al-Megrahi on compassionate ground as he was suffering from prostate cancer.
Mr Cameron is travelling to the US for a two-day tour - his first visit since becoming Prime Minister. He will hold talks with President Barack Obama, which are expected to focus on the war in Afghanistan, the Gulf oil spill and the release of al-Megrahi.
A spokesman for Mr Cameron said: "The Prime Minister recognises the strength of feeling and knows how important it is to reassure the families of the victims. "
Mr Cameron told National Public Radio in Washington that he believed that al-Megrahi should have died in jail and that the decision to release him was wrong.
Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Mr Cameron also described himself as "unapologetically pro-America", but stressed that he would be "hard-headed and realistic" in his dealings with the US.
(KMcA/GK)
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13 May 2013
Huhne And Pryce Released After 62 Days
Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce have been released from jailed after serving 62 days of their respective eight-month sentences. The 58-year-old former cabinet minister and his 60-year-old ex-wife were jailed on March 11 for perverting the course of justice, relating to Pryce taking speeding points on behalf of Huhne.
Huhne And Pryce Released After 62 Days
Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce have been released from jailed after serving 62 days of their respective eight-month sentences. The 58-year-old former cabinet minister and his 60-year-old ex-wife were jailed on March 11 for perverting the course of justice, relating to Pryce taking speeding points on behalf of Huhne.
09 September 2010
Prime Minister Pays Tribute To Late Father
Prime Minister David Cameron has paid tribute to his father Ian, who died yesterday after suffering a stroke while on holiday in France. Mr Cameron paid tribute to his father in a statement, describing him as "an amazing man" who "touched a lot of lives in lots of different ways".
Prime Minister Pays Tribute To Late Father
Prime Minister David Cameron has paid tribute to his father Ian, who died yesterday after suffering a stroke while on holiday in France. Mr Cameron paid tribute to his father in a statement, describing him as "an amazing man" who "touched a lot of lives in lots of different ways".
25 November 2014
Two Arrested In Film Piracy Case
Two men have been arrested in connection with the release of a pirated copy of the Expendables 3, some twenty days before its cinema release date. The film appeared online on 25th July despite having a US cinema release date of 15th August. The Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (Pipcu) arrested a 36-year-old man in Upton Wirral.
Two Arrested In Film Piracy Case
Two men have been arrested in connection with the release of a pirated copy of the Expendables 3, some twenty days before its cinema release date. The film appeared online on 25th July despite having a US cinema release date of 15th August. The Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (Pipcu) arrested a 36-year-old man in Upton Wirral.
04 September 2012
One Direction Win US Name Battle
One Direction have won a legal dispute to keep their band name. An American punk group maintained that they had called themselves One Direction first. One Direction US sued the British boy band for $1million in damages sought a share of their' royalties. The groups issued a joint press release announcing the change of the American band's name.
One Direction Win US Name Battle
One Direction have won a legal dispute to keep their band name. An American punk group maintained that they had called themselves One Direction first. One Direction US sued the British boy band for $1million in damages sought a share of their' royalties. The groups issued a joint press release announcing the change of the American band's name.
05 October 2004
Howard pledges "less talk, more action"
An incoming Conservative government would make a "war on crime" the centrepiece of its plans to make Britain a country envied around the world, Conservative leader Michael Howard has pledged.
Howard pledges "less talk, more action"
An incoming Conservative government would make a "war on crime" the centrepiece of its plans to make Britain a country envied around the world, Conservative leader Michael Howard has pledged.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
