THE TELEGRAPH: Lord Mandelson faced fresh questions over his links to Libya last night following the decision to free the Lockerbie bomber.
The Business Secretary denied that the Government had done a deal to free Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, who was convicted of the 1988 terrorist atrocity that claimed 270 lives. However, his claims were contradicted by Saif Gaddafi, the son of the Libyan leader, in a conversation with Megrahi as the pair flew home from Glasgow.
In a transcript obtained by The Sunday Telegraph, Mr Gaddafi tells Megrahi: “You were on the table in all commercial, oil and gas agreements that we supervised in that period. You were on the table in all British interests when it came to Libya, and I personally supervised this matter. Also, during the visits of the previous prime minister, Tony Blair.”
This latest contradiction of the Government’s line will further increase tensions between Britain and the United States, which continued yesterday to express anger over the decision to free Megrahi. Robert Mueller, the FBI director, made public a hard-hitting letter he sent to Kenny MacAskill, the Scottish justice secretary who ordered the release. Mr Mueller called the decision inexplicable and detrimental to justice, adding: “Indeed your action makes a mockery of the rule of law. Your action gives comfort to terrorists around the world.”
Downing Street confirmed last night that Gordon Brown had discussed the possible release of Megrahi with Colonel Gaddafi when the two men met on the fringes of the G8 summit in Italy last month. A letter the Prime Minister sent to the Libyans, dated last Thursday, the day of the release, said: “When we met I stressed that, should the Scottish Executive decide that Megrahi can return to Libya, this should be a purely private, family occasion.”
Libya’s talk of trade deals has shone the spotlight on Lord Mandelson, who is facing mounting questions over his links with Mr Gaddafi, 37, the man widely tipped as his country’s next leader. >>> Andrew Alderson, Patrick Hennessy and Colin Freeman | Saturday, August 22, 2009
