Megrahi........ A Curious Case...............................

[Tom_McB]

Because they're two very compasionate wee souls. Don't be so cynical.

 

Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa.

[Guest David Edwards]

Is Eck changing his mind?

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/s...icle6798447.ece

 

It seems also that the arch dirty dealer Mandelson has been involved in the case. He apparently had a cosy chat with Maddafi's son at the Rothschild's gaff in Corfu.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/...n-in-Corfu.html

 

Watch it Eck, you're out of your depth and swimming with sharks.

[Davie McArthur]

Today Programme has said he won't be released on Wednesday due to pressure from the Americans.

[Tom_McB]

Is Eck changing his mind?

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/s...icle6798447.ece

 

It seems also that the arch dirty dealer Mandelson has been involved in the case. He apparently had a cosy chat with Maddafi's son at the Rothschild's gaff in Corfu.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/...n-in-Corfu.html

 

Watch it Eck, you're out of your depth and swimming with sharks.

 

Why is Eck caving in and then dithering?

 

Do MI5 have pictures/video of him doing summat nasty?

[Colkitto]

Why is Eck caving in and then dithering?

 

Do MI5 have pictures/video of him doing summat nasty?

 

[Alibi]

Leaving aside the fact that many people believe Megrahi is innocent (which he isn't at the moment as he's been convicted, however unsatisfactorily), he is clearly no threat to anyone, and he is close to death. Keeping him locked up when he has a few weeks to live seems to me like revenge as opposed to punishment. The USA are always banging on about how they are devout Christians, so why are they not demonstrating the unique feature of that religion, forgiveness? Were Megrahi healthy I can see the point of not releasing him, but he's nearly dead. Oh, and without doubt there should be an enquiry, and no surprise that the UK government doesn't want one. The Scottish Government should just proceed with their own enquiry and any refusal of witnesses to appear would speak volumes. There is a suspicion of a Westen government (and possibly more than one) being involved in the murder of their own citizens. I think that is an important enough matter to require an investigation even if it is only to disprove the allegations.

 

BTW does anyone else find it laughable the attempts by such as Richard Baker, Labour spokesman and Tavish Scott, Liberal spoesman, both trying to turn this into some sort of political debate? Scott was on the news slavering about "SNP deception and spin". FFS, what is there about this case that is party political in the slightest? What on earth is Scott on about, apart from trying desperately to make it seem that he is of any relevance whatsoever to Scottish politics?

[TonInDublin]

FFS, what is there about this case that is party political in the slightest? What on earth is Scott on about, apart from trying desperately to make it seem that he is of any relevance whatsoever to Scottish politics?

 

Wow ! if you can't see the party political aspect of this whole stinking deal then you surprise me Alibi. And that is not a jibe at the SNP by the way, it would equally apply to whoever was in power.

 

There is no way that there isn't a quid pro quo aspect of this - and anyone who thinks the Americans are REALLY, and HONESTLY upset about us letting him go, are more naive than the people they purport to represent.

 

This whole deal is being done at the behest of the Americans, with the Scottish legal system being chosen as the appropriate fall guy for them to blame when we do what they asked us.

 

But hey, thats politics.

 

TonInDublin

[mortonjag]

Wow ! if you can't see the party political aspect of this whole stinking deal then you surprise me Alibi. And that is not a jibe at the SNP by the way, it would equally apply to whoever was in power.

 

There is no way that there isn't a quid pro quo aspect of this - and anyone who thinks the Americans are REALLY, and HONESTLY upset about us letting him go, are more naive than the people they purport to represent.

 

This whole deal is being done at the behest of the Americans, with the Scottish legal system being chosen as the appropriate fall guy for them to blame when we do what they asked us.

 

But hey, thats politics.

 

TonInDublin

If the truth be told TiD, the Scottish Legal System will be delighted to be rid of this hot potato. I'm not giving away any official secrets by telling you that my son was one of the team of three at the SCCRC who ultimately recommended that the conviction had been unsafe. That conclusion doesn't confirm that Megrahi was innocent, and I've gained the impression that they believe he was at least involved at some stage. The prosecution, however, appear to have made a massive c*ck up with the ultimate conviction based on flimsy circumstantial evidence.

[cmdc]

BTW does anyone else find it laughable the attempts by such as Richard Baker, Labour spokesman and Tavish Scott, Liberal spoesman, both trying to turn this into some sort of political debate? Scott was on the news slavering about "SNP deception and spin". FFS, what is there about this case that is party political in the slightest? What on earth is Scott on about, apart from trying desperately to make it seem that he is of any relevance whatsoever to Scottish politics?

 

To the extent that the parties are calling for an emergency session in Parliament, in order to quiz McAskill and Salmond on this, I think a political debate is essential. In my opinion, it should be par for the course that a decision such as that to release a convicted mass murderer on compassionate grounds, should be subject to parliamntary scrutiny - whether that decision is made by the Scottish Ministers, or by the judiciary.

[cmdc]

without doubt there should be an enquiry, and no surprise that the UK government doesn't want one. The Scottish Government should just proceed with their own enquiry and any refusal of witnesses to appear would speak volumes. There is a suspicion of a Westen government (and possibly more than one) being involved in the murder of their own citizens. I think that is an important enough matter to require an investigation even if it is only to disprove the allegations.

 

An inquiry into this would open up the Scottish and British political establishment like never before. Everyone from the judges, through the government, to the CPS, and now into the devolved government via the intelligence sevices and our diplomats, would be scrutinised - and that is without the small matter of the involvement of the United States and Libya. It would make for a great study of the constitution, but I just can't imagine the establishment being willing to open themselves up in that way by holding an inquiry in the first place.

[cmdc]

If the truth be told TiD, the Scottish Legal System will be delighted to be rid of this hot potato. I'm not giving away any official secrets by telling you that my son was one of the team of three at the SCCRC who ultimately recommended that the conviction had been unsafe. That conclusion doesn't confirm that Megrahi was innocent, and I've gained the impression that they believe he was at least involved at some stage. The prosecution, however, appear to have made a massive c*ck up with the ultimate conviction based on flimsy circumstantial evidence.

 

Gordon Newall? I don't know him personally, but I recognise the name from some work I did a while back for the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence.

 

[RankinBorn75]

Simple .. you can get out now and go home and die in your home land before Ramadan .. If you spill the beans 200 odd people deserve the truth that's the only way we will ever get it ..

[leyTON]

the main problem that the US fear of course is perhaps their own involvement, or the digging up of the grave that they shot down a civilian plane.

it is clear that whether or not megrhaghi pulled the trigger as it were, this attack was sanctioned by those at the very top in libya, but as long as bp have their contract, whats 270 lives?

[Alibi]

Wow ! if you can't see the party political aspect of this whole stinking deal then you surprise me Alibi. And that is not a jibe at the SNP by the way, it would equally apply to whoever was in power.

 

There is no way that there isn't a quid pro quo aspect of this - and anyone who thinks the Americans are REALLY, and HONESTLY upset about us letting him go, are more naive than the people they purport to represent.

 

This whole deal is being done at the behest of the Americans, with the Scottish legal system being chosen as the appropriate fall guy for them to blame when we do what they asked us.

 

But hey, thats politics.

 

TonInDublin

 

I can see that some people WANT to make it a party political issue (as opposed to political) but surely it's a moral question of whether to show some compassion to a dying man. Party politics have nothing, or should have nothing, to do with that. I maintain that Tavish Scott's outburst was ludicrous in the circumstances.

 

Of course the USA and UK governments want to keep the lid on this. They have a lot to lose from an enquiry. It would be nice if Megrahi knew the truth and was prepared to blab, but I suspect that he probably knows very little about it. The USA needed a scapegoat and he is that scapegoat.

[Alibi]

To the extent that the parties are calling for an emergency session in Parliament, in order to quiz McAskill and Salmond on this, I think a political debate is essential. In my opinion, it should be par for the course that a decision such as that to release a convicted mass murderer on compassionate grounds, should be subject to parliamntary scrutiny - whether that decision is made by the Scottish Ministers, or by the judiciary.

 

A debate would serve little purpose. The decision is Kenny McCaskill's, acting on the advice he has given. I don't think the likes of Duncan McNeill would add anything worthwhile to the discussions frankly. It's not a party political decision, it's a government decision. He can answer their questions after the event, whatever he decides. Another benefit of that would be emphasizing to Labour and to Tavish Scott (is he the son of Hugh?) how little they actually matter nowadays.

[Colkitto]

A debate would serve little purpose. The decision is Kenny McCaskill's, acting on the advice he has given. I don't think the likes of Duncan McNeill would add anything worthwhile to the discussions frankly. It's not a party political decision, it's a government decision. He can answer their questions after the event, whatever he decides. Another benefit of that would be emphasizing to Labour and to Tavish Scott (is he the son of Hugh?) how little they actually matter nowadays.

 

 

Another great performance by Labour leader Iain Gray on Newsnight Scotland last night

[Davie McArthur]

You have to feel sorry for the guy. If he is guilty I bet he never thought about the brutality of the Scots justice system. I mean imagine having to serve your prison sentence in Greenock. Release him on compassionate grounds immediately!!!

[El gofer]

Another great performance by Labour leader Iain Gray on Newsnight Scotland last night

 

 

What did he do??

[Guest David Edwards]

Another benefit of that would be emphasizing to Labour and to Tavish Scott (is he the son of Hugh?) how little they actually matter nowadays.

 

If this confused state of affairs has demonstrated anything at all, it's how little Scottish government and jurisprudence matters. Salmond and McCaskill are belittling both by showing how hopelessly prone they are to external influences.

[Colkitto]

What did he do??

 

 

Made a fool of himself yet again. You could probably see it on I-player to judge for yourself.