WikiLeaks: UK government feared Libyan reprisal if Lockerbie bomber died in jail

The British government feared that Libya would take "harsh and immediate action" against its interests if the Lockerbie bomber died in prison, according to leaked US diplomatic cables.

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi made "thuggish" threats to halt all trade deals with the UK and harass embassy staff if Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was not freed.