Scottish minister defends Lockerbie bomber's release

Scotland's Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill gestures during an emergency session of the Scottish Parliament over the recent release of Libyan Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, at the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh, Scotland August 24, 2009.

EDINBURGH (Reuters) - Scotland's justice secretary on Monday defended his decision to free the Lockerbie bomber on humanitarian grounds in the face of severe criticism from the United States government.

Addressing an emergency meeting of the Scottish parliament, Kenny MacAskill rejected suggestions from opponents that he had bowed to political or economic pressure. However, he criticized Libya for the celebrations that greeted Megrahi's return to Tripoli.

"A decision had to be made," MacAskill told the packed 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."

The Scottish government has faced international condemnation over its decision to release Abdel Basset al-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.

The British government has denied wanting Megrahi to be freed to bolster diplomatic and commercial ties with Libya, which has the biggest oil reserves in Africa.

Critics say the British government has allowed the Scottish authorities to take the blame for the release and failed to make its own position clear.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, whose ruling Labour Party lost to the Scottish National Party in elections in Scotland in 2007, has made no comment on the decision. His spokesman said it was a matter for the devolved Scottish government.

"BOYCOTT SCOTLAND"

There was international anger last week when Megrahi, who has terminal prostate cancer, flew home from Scotland to be greeted in the Libyan capital by more than 1,000 people cheering and waving Libyan and Scottish flags.

U.S. President Barack Obama said the warm welcome given to Megrahi in Libya was "highly objectionable," while FBI director Robert Mueller wrote to MacAskill, saying: "Your action makes a mockery of the rule of law (and) gives comfort to terrorists."

Many of the Lockerbie victims were Americans. Critics of the Scottish decision have set up a website urging Americans to "boycott Scotland." U.S. tourists make up the biggest proportion of overseas visitors to Scotland, spending about 257 million pounds ($424.2 million) a year, more than any other nationality.

MacAskill said he had sought a promise from Libya that they would handle Megrahi's return in a sensitive way.

"It is a matter of great regret that Mr Al-Megrahi was received in such an inappropriate manner," he said. "Assurances had been given by the Libyan government that any return would be dealt with in a low-key and sensitive fashion." The Scottish minister, who has found himself thrust into the international spotlight, added that he knew many people would disagree with his ruling "whatever my decision."

Iain Gray, the leader of the opposition Scottish Labour Party, said MacAskill had "mishandled this whole affair from start to finish," angering people at home and abroad.

"Does he understand how ashamed we were to see our flag flying to welcome a convicted bomber home?" he said.