The Lockerbie bomber is to be released on compassionate grounds, the Scottish Government has announced.
Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, 57, was jailed in 2001 for the atrocity which claimed 270 lives in 1988.
Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill revealed that the Libyan, who has terminal prostate cancer, would be allowed to return to his homeland.
I think it was a shame that Kenny MacAskill at the press conference took half an hour to say what had to be said in about a minute. The BBC 1 O' Clock News stayed with him for about 13 minutes before leaving him still waffling on to cover the other news before returning to report on the nitty gritty.
Considering the narrow ground upon which the release was granted, ignoring the political pleas from the US, I think no amount of words would have convinced the Yanks it was the right decision therefore Kenny MacAskill should have saved his words and breath and left the pandering to American feelings out of his long winded speech.
I couldn't help but notice that the tie worn by Kenny MacAskill bore a striking resemblance to the rebel Dixie flag...
UPDATE:
Lockerbie bomber returns to Libya
The Lockerbie bomber has left Scotland on board a plane bound for Libya after being freed from prison on compassionate grounds.
I have reservations that the photos above are actually those of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi getting onto the plane, the attempt at disguise would suggest that this is actually a stand in.
