Bomber Release 'Damages Scotland'

BBC ^ | Saturday, 22 August 2009

[nickcarraway]

The release of the Lockerbie bomber has damaged the reputation of Scotland across the globe, former Labour first minister Jack McConnell has warned.

He condemned the move and said it must be made clear it was not done in the name of the Scottish people.

Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi was freed from Greenock prison on Thursday to be allowed home to Libya to die.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, Mr McConnell said the sight of the Scottish flag being waved as Megrahi arrived back in Libya had brought shame on Scotland.

He said: "The way in which the decision has been made and the decision itself have damaged the reputation of the Scottish justice system - historically our legal system has had a fantastic international reputation.

"It's damaged that reputation, but much more significantly it's also damaged the reputation of Scotland internationally.

"I think it's absolutely vital that the Scottish Parliament now takes action to limit that damage and to give a clear indication to the rest of the world that when the Scottish Government made this decision they were not acting with the support of the people of Scotland." He said the decision was a "grave error of judgement" and claimed there had been other options for additional compassionate relief without Megrahi being freed.

The attack comes the day after the director of the FBI accused Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill of having made a "mockery of justice".

[B-Cause]

Nope, they have already booked elsewhere - Alaska.

[Daniel II]

And I used to be proud to call myself Scot-Irish. Sigh.

[BnBlFlag]

“And I used to be proud to call myself Scot-Irish.”

You’re still OK. The Scots-Irish got out of Scotland Centuries ago. (I’m one too!)

[Vanders9]

Oh well. Wave hello to Sarah for me.