Scotland Frees Terminally Ill Lockerbie Bomber

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What a bunch of hypocrites! America's holier-than-thou attitude is laughable. Where was your scrupulous, moral stance when the IRA was receiving 30% of its funding from, 'The Land of The Free?' And where were the cacophony of protests when Clinton was advocating the release of convicted IRA terrorists? That is the same IRA that killed 100s of people in Britain.
Personally, I don't think al-Megrahi should have been released. He is a convicted mass murderer and as such, should have been shown the same compassion he showed his victims. However, America can't take the moral high ground when it suits. You either have principles or you don't.

Peter 8:48PM August 29, 2009

What a bunch of hypocrites! America's holier-than-thou attitude is laughable. Where was your scrupulous, moral stance when the IRA was receiving 30% of its funding from, 'The Land of The Free?' And where were the cacophony of protests when Clinton was advocating the release of convicted IRA terrorists? That is the same IRA that killed 100s of people in Britain.
Personally, I don't think al-Megrahi should have been released. He is a convicted mass murderer and as such, should have been shown the same compassion he showed his victims. However, America can't take the moral high ground when it suits. You either have principles or you don't.

Peter 8:48PM August 29, 2009

I have never stated that Scotland was required by law to release Mr Al-Megrahi. I have, however, referred to the prison rules and guidance (policies) which are used when decisions such as this are made. I still believe it was the right decision. I understand that you may not agree - that is your prerogative. Every nation will make decisions at some point in time which other nations will not agree with. That is the way of the world.

Claire 3:19PM August 28, 2009

It is most unfortunate that you have chosen to be proud of an 'act of compassion' for a convicted murder, sir. Certainly, Al-Megrahi gave up his rights of freedom on the day he chose to murder 270 people. Whatever happened to 'without possibility of parole' in law?
May I remind you that Scotland was not required by law to send him back to Libya. In the honourable Minister's own word's, it was 'his decision'. As a lawyer, I would have expected you to be aware of this.
The parliment of Scotland has chosen a brave stance when they made this regrettable decision given the international community outrage. They also were incredibly stupid to believe that the tyrannical regime that runs Libya would honour an agreement to keep the welcoming party as 'low-key.'
So let's keep the chest thumping to a bare minimum. This was certainly not your countries' finest hour.

Brandon T 2:00PM August 25, 2009

I am British and proud of it. I am proud of the compassionate and humane decision to release Mr Al-Megrahi.
I should also like to remind US citizens that the US Navy shot down Iran Air Flight 655 in 1988 killing in excess of 290 civillians, including women and 66 children. I believe that the individuals responsible for making the decision to shoot down that plane are free men. I understand that it was claimed that the airliner was mistaken for a fighter aircraft and I emphasise that I am not saying that the passenger airliner was shot down deliberately. The point I am making, however, is that members of the US Navy were responsible for making a decision that brought down the aircraft and killed all its passengers. Whether or not that decision was deliberate is by the by. It happened. These events seem to have been forgotten.
I would not in any way seek to negate the terrible loss to all famillies who were affected by 'Lockerbie'. The terrible losses suffered are almost unimaginable to me. I do not condone terrorism, rather I detest it. I support my nation's armed forces in their fight to eradicate terrorist factions in order that we can live in safety and enjoy the fundamental rights and freedoms that are important to democractic society.
As a lawyer, I have made applications for terminally ill prisoners to be released on compassionate grounds. HM Prison Service's rules and guidance state that compassionate release will only be granted if an individual has less than 3 months to live. Medical evidence is obtained regarding condition and prognosis before the Secretary of State makes the decision. In the UK we do not believe in nor do we condone capital punishment, however, we accept and understand that not all countries will share the same values. We know that this does not mean that we are right and everyone else is wrong. Not does it mean that you are right and we are wrong.
I am truly horrified by some of the ignorant comments posted by other readers. For the record, Smallpox was eradicated in the UK decades ago.The suggestion that an individual should be deliberately infected is beyond distasteful. It would be an act of terrorism.
I particularly find comments regarding "sub-human muslims" to be inflammatory, repugnant and entirely discriminatory. How are such comments helpful? They are, quite simply, devisive and of know help to anyone.

Claire 2:44PM August 23, 2009

I hope they secretly infected him with smallpox before he left - like the rat unwittingly carrying the poison back to the nest!

Glenn of UT 1:09PM August 21, 2009

he should of been kept in prison. I hope his cancer gives him so much pain he begs for relief

k bardin of NM 9:41PM August 20, 2009

Why was he hiding his face ? He and his N U ? S A * # have photographed,sampled or scraped since apprehended -so now he wears a NIKE swoosh cap?At least we can compare the shape of his ear that was clearly visible to past photos.We will probably see it in a few months on Ebay after Libyan Intelligence takes him to a Plastic Surgeon(probably the same one that did Baba Wawa )to get his new face and assignment.

PearTreePartridge of VA 7:39PM August 20, 2009

oh yea release another terrrorist so he can go do it again before he dies. i wonder what scotland would be saying if it crashed in the us and the 257 person that died were scotlands people and the 11 on the ground we american. then we decided to let him return home because he only had three months to live?

dean lawson of OK 11:49AM August 20, 2009