Lockerbie bomber ‘could die’ before decision on appeal made

THE cancer-stricken Lockerbie bomber could die before a decision is made on his appeal after new delays in the case, his lawyer warned yesterday.

It was revealed that one of the judges hearing Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi’s long-running appeal against conviction has had heart surgery.

Scotland’s top judge, the Lord Justice General Lord Hamilton, told the High Court in Edinburgh that the judge’s recuperation may be “protracted” and it is thought he will not be fit to resume judicial duties until mid-September. Hamilton said the situation “complicates matters”.

The court has heard full submissions on two grounds of appeal, but the court will not now be able to give its decision on those grounds until the autumn.