Lockerbie bomber freed

The Lockerbie bomber is to be freed on compassionate grounds, Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill announced today.

Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, is serving a life sentence for murdering 270 people when a Pan Am plane was brought down over the Scottish town in 1988.

But in a move likely to cause outrage in the United States, Mr MacAskill said Megrahi would now be released early from prison because of his worsening medical condition.

He said Megrahi "now faces justice from a higher power ... he is going to die".

He had earlier rejected a separate application by Megrahi to serve the rest of his sentence in Libya.

Megrahi is now expected to fly home to Libya to rejoin his family.

In a statement that lasted more than 20 minutes, Mr MacAskill said Megrahi had shown no compassion to his victims, but added: "That alone is not a reason for us to deny compassion to him and his family in his final days."

Mr MacAskill said: "I am conscious there are deeply held feelings and that many will disagree whatever my decision. However a decision has to be made.

"Scotland will forever remember the crime that has been perpetrated against our people and those from many other lands, the pain and suffering will remain forever.

"Some hurt can never heal, some scars can never fade. Those who have been bereaved cannot be expected to forget, let alone forgive. Their pain runs deep and the wounds remain."

Megrahi was informed of the decision at 1pm at Greenock prison.

Mr MacAskill added: "On July 24, 2009 I received an application from Mr Al Megrahi for compassionate release.

"He was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer in September 2008.

"I have been regularly updated on the progression of his illness.

"I have received numerous, comprehensive medical reports including the opinions of consultants who have been treating him.

"It is quite clear to the medical experts he has a terminal illness and indeed that there recently has been a significant deterioration in his health.

"In order to consider the application I was provided with reports and recommendations.

"My decision is in accordance with all the advice given to me.

"It is the opinion of the Scottish Prison Service doctors who have dealt with him prior to, during and following the diagnosis of prostate cancer and having seen him during each of these stages, that his clinical condition has declined significantly.

"Assessment by a range of specialists has reached the firm consensus that his disease is, after several different trials of treatment, hormone resistant, resistant to any treatment options of known effectiveness."

The families of American victims reacted angrily to the news.

Kara Weipz, of Mt Laurel, New Jersey, lost her 20-year-old brother Richard Monetti in the terrorist attack.

She said: “I don’t understand how the Scots can show compassion. It is an utter insult and utterly disgusting.

“It is horrible. I don’t show compassion for someone who showed no remorse.”

Her view is shared by others who lost loved ones on board Pan Am Flight 103.

Speaking ahead of today’s formal announcement, Paul Halsch, who lost his 31-year-old wife in the atrocity, said: “I’m totally against it. He murdered 270 people.”

The New York state resident added: “This might sound crude or blunt, but I want him returned from Scotland the same way my wife Lorraine was and that would be in a box.”