Verdict not the ‘ end of the road’

Dr Jim Swire, 60, spokesman for the UK Lockerbie families, said the verdict would not be the ‘‘end of the road' for the victims’ relatives.

Dr Swire, whose 23-year-old daughter Flora died in the bombing, said: ‘‘There are many unanswered questions about who ordered this vile act and why our loved ones were not protected from it.'

The fight for an independent public inquiry into the tragedy would continue once the verdict was known.

The Rev John Mosey, 60, from Worcestershire, whose 19-year-old daughter, Helga, died in the atrocity, said as he arrived at court that it would be an ‘emotional' day and one that he hoped would finally allow the relatives’ long-awaited public inquiry to take place.

‘‘The trial has been a huge obstacle in the road that was completely in the way of getting justice and truth,' he said.

‘‘We wanted it out of the way,' he said.

The families want an independent public inquiry into the failings of the intelligence services and the aviation industry in allowing the bombing to happen.

The authorities have always told the families that no inquiry can take place until the trial was out of the way.

Mr Mosey said: ‘‘We are asking for a proper inquiry. There are huge unanswered questions whatever the verdict today is.

‘‘This trial hasn’t answered those questions and has added more to the list.

‘‘It took nine years of hard work to get this trial. We were told it was impossible and now it’s almost over.'