STRAW CONFIRMS BP OIL DEAL PART OF LIBYAN PTA

“MACASKILL RIGHT TO REJECT TAINTED PTA”

Commenting on an interview with Jack Straw in which he accepts that trade deals including a BP oil deal resulted in the UK Government switching position and including Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al-Megrahi in a Prisoner Transfer Agreement with Libya, having previously agreed with the Scottish Government that he should be excluded from the PTA, SNP MP and Westminster Leader Angus Robertson said:

"The Prisoner Transfer Agreement was always tainted – Jack Straw is now admitting it – and Kenny MacAskill was absolutely right to reject the PTA application. Jack Straw's admission that trade was at the heart of the UK Government’s actions over al-Megrahi confirms the wisdom of the Scottish Government in opposing this Prisoner Transfer Agreement from the start, and of the Justice Secretary in rejecting the application.

"In contrast to the UK Government’s dodgy deal in the desert, Scotland’s Justice Secretary made his decision to grant compassionate release to send al-Megrahi back to Libya to die on judicial grounds alone, according to the due process of Scots Law. Kenny Macaskill made the right decision for the right reasons, which is why support has surged forward to 45%, while opposition has fallen to the same level.”

UK MUST "OPEN UP" ON LIBYA DEALINGS

UK DEALINGS "SHROUNDED IN SECRECY"

Commenting on reports in The Herald newspaper in which Colonel Gaddafi's son, Saif al Islam Gaddafi suggests that negotiations over the Prisoner Transfer Agreement struck between Tony Blair and Libya connected trade deals to the release of the Lockerbie bomber SNP MP and Westminster leader Angus Robertson said;

"Kenny MacAskill made the right decision for the right reasons and he has explained that decision in Parliament.

"The SNP spoke out against Tony Blair's deal in the desert when it was first struck, but the UK denied that Megrahi was the target and refused to exclude him from the agreement.

"The UK Government's negotiation of a prisoner transfer agreement and meetings between the UK Government and Libya remain shrouded in secrecy.

"It is time for the UK to open up on Blair and Brown's dealings with Colonel Gaddafi.

"The Scottish Government has said it will release all possible information on the consideration of Mr Megrahi's release as soon as it can.

"If the UK Government wants to end suspicion over it's own dealings with Libya Gordon Brown should adopt the same approach and put the details of these meetings into the public domain."

PRESCOTT BACKS MACASKILL DECISION

Former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has today (Wednesday) said that he has no has no objection to the release of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi.

In comments which undermine the position of Labour’s leader in the Scottish Parliament Iain Gray – when asked on Sky News if he had any objections to al Megrahi's release, Mr Prescott said:

“No, I don't have any objections. If the man is dying, if compassion is part, as it is, of the Scottish administration and the medical authorities then get proof to that effect, then it's a decision for the legal authority. You know, Scotland has always had a great deal of independence of its legal authority, going back many years, so we have to respect that decision. And I do.”

Commenting on Mr Prescott’s intervention SNP Westminster leader and Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Angus Robertson MP, said:

“John Prescott’s intervention is very welcome, but starkly underlines the naked opportunism of Iain Gray and Labour in the Scottish Parliament. It is plain to most right thinking people that Kenny MacAskill made the right decision and, above all, he made it for the right reasons.

“John Prescott’s endorsement of the decision highlights the Iain Gray’s shameless attempts to politicise the situation. Last week, Iain Gray refused to give his opinion on compassionate release, which he said must be based on the medical reports. The Justice Secretary’s decision was indeed based on the medical evidence – which he published, showing a life expectancy for Mr Al Megrahi of some three months. Yet quite shamefully, at that point – and only at that point – did Iain Gray oppose compassionate release.

“Kenny MacAskill made his decision on the basis of the medical evidence presented to him which clearly supported the application for compassionate release – and on the recommendations of the Parole Board and Prison Governor.

“This issue has nothing to do with party politics, and attempts by the Labour party and the Conservatives to politicise it are extremely regrettable.”

LEGAL COMMUNITY BACK MACASKILL

A poll of Scottish lawyers by Scottish Legal News has backed Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill’s decision to release the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing on compassionate grounds.

The survey carried out by Scottish Legal News showed that more than two-thirds of lawyers supported the Justice Secretary’s ruling.

A total of 424 readers responded to the survey, with two-thirds (67.9 per cent) saying ‘Yes’, the minister made the right call.

Responding to the poll SNP MSP Stewart Maxwell, a member of the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee said:

"This is a welcome endorsement from Scotland's legal community for the decision Kenny MacAskill has taken.

"Throughout this process Kenny MacAskill has stressed that this was a legal decision taken in a quasi-judicial capacity, something which has been recognised by Scotland's legal community.

"Scotland's legal system is a strong system that deserves the support of our politicians.

"For politicians to suggest decisions should have been taken on anything but judicial grounds shows a lack of respect for the laws of our land.

"This poll is part of growing support for Kenny MacAskill's decision, with the legal community joining voices from Scottish Civic society, the Church of Scotland and the Catholic Church in Scotland who have backed Megrahi's release on compassionate grounds, as well as politicians from all sides who have spoken out in support of this decision."

MACASKILL STATEMENT EXPOSES OPPOSITION POLITICISATION

DOWNING STREET REBUKE FBI COMMENTS

SUPPORT BUILDING FOR "RIGHT DECISION"

Speaking after the statement by Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill SNP MSP Michael Matheson said today’s statement from Kenny MacAskill highlighted that the right decision has been made for the right reasons and exposed the political opportunism and failed arguments of the opposition.

Mr Matheson also welcomed comments from the Prime Minister’s spokesman rejecting the attack by FBI Director Robert Mueller on Scotland’s legal system and it’s commitment to tackling terrorism.

Commenting after the statement Mr Matheson, Deputy Convener of the Scottish Parliament's External Relations Committee, said:

“Kenny MacAskill has answered his critics and demonstrated to Parliament that at all times he followed the correct procedures in reaching what is the correct decision.

“In response to a question from me Mr MacAskill made clear that no prisoner who has fulfilled the criteria for compassionate release has ever been denied it. Mr Megrahi fulfilled those criteria and his decision in accordance with the law, despite significant pressure, was the right thing to do.

“With Scotland’s churches, civic society, senior former and current politicians and many Scots around the country agreeing with this decision and the values embodied in it it is clear that support for Mr MacAskill is growing as Scots and others around the world understand the decision and the reasons for it.

“The politicisation of what is a quasi-judicial decision has been deeply disappointing and I welcome the comments and honest positions of Labour MSP Malcolm Chisholm and Lib Dem MSP John Farquhar Munro in support of Mr MacAskill’s decision against their party leadership’s wishes.”

Mr Matheson also welcomed comments from the Prime Minister’s Spokesman in response to FBI Director Robert Mueller’s letter yesterday. Asked about Mr Mueller’s comments that the decision would support terrorism the Prime Minister’s spokesman said;

"I don't think it does. This was a decision taken by the Scottish Justice Secretary in accordance with the laws of Scotland. I don't see that anyone can argue that this gives succour."

Mr Matheson said;

“Robert Mueller’s comments have been roundly refuted from all sides and I welcome the decision of the Prime Minister’s spokesman to condemn his position.

“The decision Kenny MacAskill took could never have pleased everyone and I respect those who disagree with it but this ill tempered and inappropriate attack on Scotland’s justice system has been rightly condemned.”

FBI DIRECTOR’S ATTACK REJECTED

LEGAL SYSTEM CAN "HOLD ITS HEAD HIGH"

SNP MSP Michael Matheson today welcomed Henry McLeish’s comments on BBC radio this morning in which he described the comments of FBI Director Robert Mueller as a “slur on Scottish Justice which we did not deserve” and a rejection by Lord Fraser of Carmyle of the Director's attack on Scotland's legal system.

Mr McLeish repeated his belief that Kenny MacAskill made “the right decision made for the right reasons”.

Lord Fraser of Carmyle who brought the original case against Megrahi rejected the claim that Scotland is “pro-terrorist” saying “We are not, and he knows that from his regular visits to Edinburgh.”

Mr Matheson said;

“Robert Mueller’s comments yesterday were as Henry McLeish said both ill-informed and unjustified.

“The intervention of Henry McLeish and Lord Fraser to reject these comments is welcome.

"Scots across the country know that Mr Mueller's comments were an entirely inappropriate attack on our justice system.

“This decision was made in the right way for the right reasons and has upheld the principles of our legal system.

“Henry McLeish’s call for Scots to recognise that we have a Justice system that can hold it’s head high around the world in the face of what is improper criticism is one all MSPs should endorse - rather than seeking to attack the institutions and principles we are elected to defend."