24/08/09 - Release of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi

On 21 December 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 from London to New York exploded over the town of Lockerbie in southern Scotland, destroyed by a hidden bomb. All 259 people on board the aeroplane were killed, along with 11 people on the ground. I t remains the worst terrorist attack in British history.

Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi received a life sentence in 2001 after being convicted of the murders of the 270 victims.

The 57-year-old, who has prostate cancer, returned home to Libya on Thursday to jubilant scenes which included people waving Scottish flags.

Mr al-Megrahi was convicted under Scottish law and it is right that this decision was taken by Scottish ministers and the Scottish judicial system.  However, we think that in this case they made the wrong decision.

David Cameron has said: "I think this is wrong. If there's a view that the conviction is in some way unsafe, then the proper process is an appeal and the presentation of new evidence.  But if this is about genuine release on compassionate grounds then I think it is wrong.  This man was convicted of murdering 270 people, he showed no compassion to them, they weren't allowed to go home and die with their relatives in their own bed and I think this is a very bad decision.''

Cllr Justin Tomlinson, North Swindon Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, said: "This decision is wrong and an insult to the innocent victims of the bombing. 

"I am also staggered that Gordon Brown, who will happily supply sound-bites on everything including Jade Goody, Michael Jackson, Big Brother and the cricket results, refuses to comment.  This is typical of Gordon Brown, refusing to take the lead or responsibility on the issues that matter.''