Lockerbie is back in vogue. The Telegraph reports that Mi5 has ‘conclusive
evidence’ that Moussa Koussa was ‘directing operational and intelligence gathering activities against Libyan dissidents’ and organising support for terror groups. Koussa is
expected to meet with Scottish prosecutors later this week to discuss the Lockerbie bombing. Also, the Libyan rebels have
pledged to assist British security services investigate Gaddafi’s sponsorship of terrorism, particularly the IRA.
Anything that brings Gaddafi and his most murderous henchmen to justice will give solace to victims. But no amount of water can wash away the grubby circumstances of al-Megrahi’s release. The subtle influence of the government on the Scottish authorities has been covered and condemned, the role of business agencies less so.
On 17 July 2009, Lord Trefgarne, Chairman of the Libyan British Business Council, an organisation that works closely with the Foreign Office, UK Trade and Investment and
Libyan officials, wrote to Kenny MacAskill:
‘I am, of course, well aware that none of these options is straightforward. However, I believe that the matter becomes more urgent, not least because of Mr Megrahi’s deteriorating condition. Furthermore the Libyan authorities have made it clear that should he die in prison there will be serious implications for UK-Libyan relations. This prospect is of grave concern to LBBC members, not just Scottish ones. May I therefore now urge you to bring this matter to a swift and satisfactory conclusion. If the Prisoner Transfer Agreement is your preferred course then Mr Megrahi will have to withdraw his appeal and notify the court accordingly. I am reliably advised that he is, in principle, ready to do so. Presumably, the Crown is also ready to abandon its separate appeal relating to sentence. I appreciate that this process may be unattractive to you for one or more reasons beyond my knowledge. In that case, I invite you to consider another route, which I am advised, is open to you – namely release on Compassionate Grounds. I submit that these powers vested in you are tailor made for Mr Megrahi’s condition and the related circumstances. I hope you agree. May I end by emphasising that speed is of the essence principally, of course, for humanitarian reasons, but also because of the shadow which may otherwise fall over UK-Libyan relations – and especially the interests of LBBC Scottish members and indeed others.’
Comments