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07/02/2011
Labour Did 'All It Could' To Free Lockerbie Bomber
A top British civil servant has said the Labour government supported a policy to do "all it could" to ensure the Lockerbie bomber's release.
Back in August 2009, Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi was released from a Scottish prison on compassionate grounds after it came to light he had just three months to live.
Upon his return to Libya, he received a hero’s welcome.
In a further development Gus O’Donnell, a UK top civil servant, has today published 150 pages of documents after conducting a review into the release. Summarising, Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus concluded: "Policy was, therefore, progressively developed that Her Majesty's Government should do all it could, while respecting devolved competencies, to facilitate an appeal by the Libyans to the Scottish government for Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi's release under the Prisoner Transfer Agreement (PTA) or for release on compassionate grounds.
"Such an approach was understood across all relevant departments."
The report, however did not highlight evidence of active intervention.
Sir Gus said London did not lobby Edinburgh because it would be "counterproductive".
He said: "Mr Megrahi's release on compassionate grounds was a decision that Scottish Ministers alone could, and did, make."
The Labour government has stood by claims it did not interfere in the decision.
Last year, Sir Gus was approached by the Prime Minister to conduct a review after promising President Obama that documents would be available to the public.
In December 1988, Pan Am flight 103 flight exploded over Lockerbie killing 270 people, 103 were American.
(BMcN/GK)
Back in August 2009, Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi was released from a Scottish prison on compassionate grounds after it came to light he had just three months to live.
Upon his return to Libya, he received a hero’s welcome.
In a further development Gus O’Donnell, a UK top civil servant, has today published 150 pages of documents after conducting a review into the release. Summarising, Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus concluded: "Policy was, therefore, progressively developed that Her Majesty's Government should do all it could, while respecting devolved competencies, to facilitate an appeal by the Libyans to the Scottish government for Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi's release under the Prisoner Transfer Agreement (PTA) or for release on compassionate grounds.
"Such an approach was understood across all relevant departments."
The report, however did not highlight evidence of active intervention.
Sir Gus said London did not lobby Edinburgh because it would be "counterproductive".
He said: "Mr Megrahi's release on compassionate grounds was a decision that Scottish Ministers alone could, and did, make."
The Labour government has stood by claims it did not interfere in the decision.
Last year, Sir Gus was approached by the Prime Minister to conduct a review after promising President Obama that documents would be available to the public.
In December 1988, Pan Am flight 103 flight exploded over Lockerbie killing 270 people, 103 were American.
(BMcN/GK)
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08 February 2011
Scottish Government Publish Lockerbie Documents
With the publication of papers by the UK Government related to the case of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the Scottish Government have released the final documents it can publish which primarily relate to notes of meetings and calls between Scottish and UK Ministers in 2007 and 2008.
Scottish Government Publish Lockerbie Documents
With the publication of papers by the UK Government related to the case of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the Scottish Government have released the final documents it can publish which primarily relate to notes of meetings and calls between Scottish and UK Ministers in 2007 and 2008.
13 August 2009
Libyan Bomber To Be Freed?
A decision is expected today on the proposed release of the Libyan man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing. It looks increasingly likely that Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, who has terminal prostate cancer, will be freed on compassionate grounds next week.
Libyan Bomber To Be Freed?
A decision is expected today on the proposed release of the Libyan man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing. It looks increasingly likely that Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, who has terminal prostate cancer, will be freed on compassionate grounds next week.
11 October 2011
UK's Top Civil Servant Retires
The head of the civil service, Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell, has announced he will leave his post at the end of the year. Mr O'Donnell was expected to step down before the next general election, but Tuesday's announcement means a number of changes that were to follow his vacation of the role will have to be brought forward.
UK's Top Civil Servant Retires
The head of the civil service, Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell, has announced he will leave his post at the end of the year. Mr O'Donnell was expected to step down before the next general election, but Tuesday's announcement means a number of changes that were to follow his vacation of the role will have to be brought forward.
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.
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