Scottish minister defends Lockerbie bomber release

Scotlands Justice Secretary on Monday defended his decision to free the Lockerbie bomber on humanitarian grounds in the face of severe criticism from the US government and relatives of the victims.

Addressing an emergency meeting of Scottish Parliament,Kenny MacAskill rejected suggestions from opponents that he had bowed to political or economic pressure. But MacAskill,who freed Abdel Basset al-Megrahi,criticised Libya for the celebrations that greeted his return to Tripoli.

A decision had to be made, MacAskill told the chamber in the Scottish capital. It was based on the law of Scotland,and the values I believe we seek to uphold. It was not based on political,diplomatic or economic considerations.

Relatives of US victims have strongly condemned the Scottish government over its decision to release Megrahi,57,the only person convicted of the bombing of the Pan Am jet over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1988,killing 270 people.