Lockerbie bomber released

The plot thickens

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[Bri w]

Originally Posted by northwind

(Quick point, lockerbie wasn't the world's biggest single act of terrorism, the Iran theatre arson and Air India bombings were worse, so was the beirut barracks bombing.)

But yes- you're spot on, but the thing is, most claims for compassionate release are already met (something like 4 out of 5 in scotland), this isn't some new thing or a precedent.

8 out of 27. you are right, it isn't new. However, most of them haven't been politically expedient and most haven't been able to walk out of prison.

I really don't get this politically expedient angle. This was done under the auspices of the SNP. A party who hold no love for the UK governing party. Regardless of potential oil reserves (and it seems we're basing this on the fact that Libya is sandy), I still say that in a choice between being friends with some tin pot military junta and the greatest superpower on earth the politically expedient choice would be to side with the undisputed rulers of the free world?

Politically, this decision smacks of a hard decision made by a man who came to it based on what he thought was right, regardless of political pressure from the Scottish Government, the UK Government or the USA Government. Regardless of whether I think that was the right decision or not (and I think it was as I've already detailed) I've got to applaud the strength of that bloke making a tough decision and deciding on the basis of what he thought was right.

[Biker Biggles]

Originally Posted by MiniMatt

I really don't get this politically expedient angle. This was done under the auspices of the SNP. A party who hold no love for the UK governing party. Regardless of potential oil reserves (and it seems we're basing this on the fact that Libya is sandy), I still say that in a choice between being friends with some tin pot military junta and the greatest superpower on earth the politically expedient choice would be to side with the undisputed rulers of the free world?

Politically, this decision smacks of a hard decision made by a man who came to it based on what he thought was right, regardless of political pressure from the Scottish Government, the UK Government or the USA Government. Regardless of whether I think that was the right decision or not (and I think it was as I've already detailed) I've got to applaud the strength of that bloke making a tough decision and deciding on the basis of what he thought was right.

No no no

Not enough conspiracy there mate.
A complete nobody (the Scottish justice bloke)makes the momentous decision.He can be berated by everybody and it will make no difference because he is part of the Scottish Government.The British Government can wash its hands of the whole thing.Note how no one from HMG will answer questions about exactly what was said to anybody.The Yanks can howl in protest, without having to fall out with London, to satisfy their home market who cant understand why this bloke was never fried in San Quentin.The Libyans get their bloke back and can continue to be part of the proper world economy.Every ones a winner with only an unheard of bloke from a non Government in Scotland having to take any flak.And most important for everyone,no embarassing appeal.

I confess to being beaten at politics Vote for BB

Seeing as how upset some people here are about this, I assume you will be protesting outside the US Embassy to demand the extradition of Warren Anderson to India so he can stand trial for the homicide of 25,000 people.

having looked up who he is then yer - he sounds like a piece of **** so send him back to India to face charges. However he isn't a terrorist exactly

This guy was certainly released with the approval of USA.

It wouldn't have happened otherwise.

They may scream and shout in public but its private that matters.

I have read and reread he speech that Minister MacWotsit made. It's his finest hour, I'm sure he'll return to obscurity soon enough. Lots of Calvinism and Presbyterianism in there. I think that MiniMatt is right - he made a tough decision and stuck to it because he thought it was right, driven I am guessing by Christian principles.

I still think that he made the wrong decision. In asking where was al-Megrahi's compassion, I do not compare us with a mass murderer, oh no. I focus on the ongoing pain of the families of those killed and prefer their right to justice to his 'right' to compassion.

Kenny MacAskill

Scottish justice is independent from the UK...

I am not sure if the UK government could veto this.