Neue Eskalation in der Party-Affäre: Downing Street entschuldigt sich bei der Queen

NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG: Während die Queen einsam um ihren verstorbenen Gatten trauerte, feierten trotz Corona-Restriktionen Dutzende von Mitarbeitern Boris Johnsons mit Alkohol, Musik und Tanz bis tief in die Nacht. Damit nimmt der Druck auf den Premierminister weiter zu.

Königin Elisabeth II. sitzt bei der Beerdigung ihres Mannes während des Lockdowns ganz alleine. Doch in der Downing Street soll es am Vorabend gleich zwei Lockdown-Partys gegeben haben.
In der Affäre um Lockdown-Partys am Amtssitz von Premierminister Boris Johnson ist es am Freitag zu einer neuen Eskalation gekommen. Nachdem der «Daily Telegraph» enthüllt hatte, dass es an der Downing Street am Vorabend der Beisetzung von Prinz Philip vom 17. April 2021 zu zwei Partys gekommen war, sah sich das Büro von Boris Johnson genötigt, sich öffentlich beim Buckingham-Palast zu entschuldigen. Es sei «zutiefst bedauerlich», dass diese Vorkommnisse zur Zeit der nationalen Trauer stattgefunden hätten, sagte Johnsons Sprecher.

Wilde Abschiedsfeste

Die höchst aussergewöhnliche Entschuldigung änderte freilich wenig daran, dass die Zustände in Johnsons Downing Street nun in scharfem Kontrast zur förmlichen Kultur des Königspalasts erscheinen. Die berührenden Bilder der pflichtbewussten Queen, die unter Einhaltung der rigiden Corona-Vorschriften an der Beerdigung ihres Gatten alleine in der Kapelle auf Schloss Windsor sitzen musste, gingen um die Welt. Damals waren strikte Abstandsregeln in Kraft, Mitglieder verschiedener Haushalte durften sich nicht in geschlossenen Räumen treffen. » | Niklaus Nuspliger, London | Freitag, 14. Januar 2022

UK: Anti-Modi Activists Picket Downing Street to Protest Indian PM's Visit

Hundreds of protesters rallied outside Downing Street in London on Thursday as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with British Prime Minister David Cameron. Protesters, joined by London mayoral candidate George Galloway, chanted slogans condemning Modi and his government.

UK Ditches Plan to Bid for £5.9m Saudi Arabia Prisons Contract

THE GUARDIAN: Opposition MPs laud justice secretary Michael Gove, while PM is to write to Saudis over fate of UK pensioner Karl Andree, who faces 360 lashes

Downing Street has announced that the government is to cancel a £5.9m contract to provide a training programme for prisons in Saudi Arabia.

In a significant victory for the justice secretary, Michael Gove – whose attempts to cancel the project had been resisted by David Cameron and the foreign secretary, Philip Hammond – the prime minister’s spokeswoman said the contract has been cancelled following a review.

The spokeswoman said: “This bid to provide the additional training to Saudi Arabia has been reviewed and the government has decided that it won’t be proceeding with the bid. The review has been ongoing following the decision that was announced earlier in September to close down the Just Solutions International branch of the Ministry of Justice that was providing some of these services.”

In another significant development, Downing Street also announced that the prime minister is to write to the Saudi authorities to raise his concerns about the case of Karl Andree, the 74-year-old grandfather who is due to face 360 lashes for transporting homemade wine in his car.

The No 10 spokeswoman said: “This is an extremely concerning case. We have been providing consular assistance to Mr Andree and to his family since he was first arrested. We have raised the case repeatedly in recent weeks. » | Nicholas Watt and Alan Travis | Tuesday, October 13, 2015

THE GUARDIAN: Saudi prisons contract: Gove and Hammond clash over deal: Foreign secretary accuses cabinet colleague of ‘naivety’ for seeking to withdraw from £5.9m bid to provide services to Saudi penal system » | Nadia Khomami | Tuesday, October 13, 2015

THE GUARDIAN: Michael Gove emerges as human rights hero over bid to scrap Saudi prisons deal: Fresh details of justice secretary’s cabinet battle with Philip Hammond casts him as improbable champion of human rights » | Alan Travis Home affairs editor | Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Huge Crowd of Muslim Protesters Picket Downing Street to Protest at Charlie Hebdo Cartoons

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: The protestors, many of whom were divided into groups of men and women and included children gathered just yards from the Cenotaph

At least 1,000 Muslim protesters gathered outside the gates of Downing Street to protest against the depictions of the Prophet Mohammed in Charlie Hebdo, the French satirical magazine.

The protestors, many of whom were divided into groups of men and women, gathered just yards from the Cenotaph which remembers Britain’s war dead, and blocked half of Whitehall as they demonstated.

It comes weeks after two terrorists attacked the offices of Charlie Hebdo, the Paris-based satirical magazine which had published images of the Prophet Muhammad, killing 12 staff and wounding 11 others.

The protest was organised by the Muslim Action Forum, which said that the Charlie Hebdo cartoons had helped “sow the seeds of hatred” and had damaged community relations.

One young child, who appeared to be under the age of 10, stood next to a placard displaying the message: “Charlie and the abuse factory”. A series of Muslim leaders addressed the crowd from a platform outside the Ministry of Defence, with the message “Be careful with Muhammad”. » | Christopher Hope, Chief Political Correspodnent | Sunday, February 08, 2015

François Hollande en tête à tête avec la reine Elizabeth

LE FIGARO: Le chef de l'État a partagé mardi «une tasse de thé» avec la reine d'Angleterre au château de Windsor, près de Londres.

«Maintenant le président est invité pour une tasse de thé avec la reine», avait annoncé mardi après-midi le premier ministre britannique David Cameron, pour conclure une conférence de presse commune avec le président de la République.

Elizabeth II avait invité François Hollande au château de Windsor, près de Londres. Chacun des deux parlant la langue de l'autre, leur tête-à-tête de trente minutes s'est déroulé sans traducteur. Seuls deux photographes ont été autorisés, au début de l'entretien, à immortaliser cette rencontre. » | Par lefigaro.fr | mercredi 11 juillet 2012


lePARISIEN.fr: EN IMAGES: Hollande chez la reine Elisabeth »

lePARISIEN.fr: VIDEO. Tapis rouge pour Hollande à Londres : Pour sa première visite de président, François Hollande a eu droit à une franche explication avec le Premier ministre David Cameron… et à un tête-à-tête cordial avec la reine. » | Eric Hacquemand, envoyé spécial du Parisien à Londres | mercredi 11 juillet 2012

David Cameron and No 10 Are Losing Their Grip on the Reins of Power

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A worrying sense of drift in key policies on health, education and economy is damaging the Prime Minister’s authority.

As David Cameron took yet another battering in the Commons this week over his Government’s health reforms, his mind may have gone back to a moment a few months after he arrived in No 10.

Signs of unease over plans for the reorganisation of the health service were emerging and the PM called Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary. Mr Lansley was away, so two special advisers were invited to Downing Street to give Mr Cameron a five-minute briefing on the reforms. The pair struggled vainly – for much longer than five minutes – to encapsulate the Lansley scheme. As the door closed behind them the PM turned to Steve Hilton, his strategy guru, and said grimly: “We’re f–––ed.”

As a former public relations man, he recognised that if those closest to it could not give him a succinct account of the flagship health policy then it would be nigh on impossible to sell it to the voters. So it is proving. Yet insiders say that the battles over health reform are part of a greater problem. They fear that there is a hole at the very heart of government, that No 10 itself lacks overall direction, that it is losing clout in Whitehall (though it’s not as bad as things became under Gordon Brown).

There are unfavourable comparisons between Tony Blair’s Downing Street and that of David Cameron, particularly when it comes to the calibre of people around the PM. As one senior official put it: “Cameron has brought a welcome return to Cabinet government and nobody wants to go back to the days under Labour when we had sofa government and all decisions were on the basis of 'Tony says…’ But the centre has lost too much clout.” » | Sue Cameron | Wednesday, February 22, 2012

The problem for Cameron is that he came to power through his sheer determination to be prime minister, regardless. I dare say he felt that being prime minister was his birthright. Unfortunately, however, he appears to have given far more consideration to getting the job than he has to what he was going to do once he got it. In a few words, he is not a politician of conviction as Mrs. Thatcher was. Love Maggie or hate her, no-one can deny that she knew exactly where she wanted to get, she knew exactly where she wanted to take the country. And Cameron? Where exactly does he want to take the country? Fact is, he himself probably doesn't even know.

It must also be said that, to his detriment, Cameron is not a strong man. His weakness is written all over his face. In addition, I think many people would agree with me when I say that he is not a natural politician either.

Kudos was always more important to Cameron than policy. Moreover, what does he actually know about the country he is trying to lead? Has he got any idea what life is like for Mr. & Mrs. Average in the street?

Mrs. Thatcher, by contrast, as the daughter of a grocer, had to pull herself up by the bootstraps, and pull herself up by the bootstraps she did, by sheer dint of her determination, perseverance, grit and personality. Alas, Cameron is no male version of Mrs. Thatcher. – © Mark

This comment appears here, too.

No 10 Sides with Gay Couples over Full Marriage
THE INDEPENDENT: Gay couples will finally win the right to marry, Downing Street insisted last night, despite an escalating campaign of opposition led by a former Archbishop of Canterbury and some Conservative MPs.

Lord Carey provoked an angry backlash from gay couples and campaigners as he denounced the move as a "hostile strike" on the traditional view of marriage. There will now be a furious battle ahead of this spring's Queen's Speech, in which proposals could be announced, with the aim of the first gay weddings taking place by 2015 at the latest.

Tory right-wingers gave their backing to a new pressure group, Coalition for Marriage, which accused the Government of having no mandate for the move – and claimed the public was on its side.

But Downing Street insisted that David Cameron remained determined to end the discrimination faced by homosexual couples. A senior source said: "Nothing has changed on this as far as he is concerned. He is very passionate about this subject – it is something that has defined him." » | Nigel Morris, Nick Clark, Andrew Grice and Terri Judd | Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Bahrain: David Cameron Under Fire for No 10 Crown Prince Photocall

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron risked criticism after he was pictured shaking hands with the Crown Prince of Bahrain on the steps of Downing Street.

The Prime Minister met Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa for talks at No 10 amid concern of the Gulf state’s human rights record.

The pair met in private for discussions on the uprisings across the Middle East and north Africa, including a bloody crackdown by Bahraini authorities on demonstrators.

But critics said officials should not be “rolling out the red carpet for Bahrain's torturer-in-chief”, insisting the meeting sent out the wrong signal.

It came as President Barack Obama gave a major speech last night throwing American weight behind the Arab Spring protests, which have been shaking the autocracies of the Middle East.

Mr Cameron was said to have urged Bahrain to embrace ''reform rather than repression'' in response to pro-democracy protests in the Gulf state.

Hundreds of anti-government protesters have been arrested and put on trial in special courts[.]

The Crown Prince’s London visit also follows a row about his invitation to last month’s Royal Wedding of the Duke of Duchess of Cambridge.

He later declined the invitation amid fears his presence might act as a distraction and attract widespread demonstrations. » | Andrew Hough | Friday, May 20, 2011

Bahrain Visit: Cameron Embraces Tyranny

THE INDEPENDENT: In Bahrain, it was another day of violence and repression as the Saudi-backed Al-Khalifa dynasty continued to clamp down on protesters demanding a better life for the repressed Shia majority.

But in Downing Street, David Cameron exchanged a warm handshake with Bahrain's Crown Prince, Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa. While other Arab tyrants feel the full force of British disapproval, Sheikh Salman is here on a mission to repair the damaged reputation of his dynasty. His visit prompted an outcry from politicians and civil rights campaigners. It came on the day when President Obama delivered his first major speech on the Arab Spring, which he said would open a "new chapter in American diplomacy". "It will be the policy of the US to promote reform, and to support transitions to democracy," he promised.

The Labour MP Denis MacShane, a former Foreign Office minister, said: "It's unbelievable, at a time when Bahrain is becoming the torture chamber of the Gulf, with terrible reports of killings and beatings, that David Cameron has even allowed the torturer-in-chief into Britain, let alone into Downing Street." Amnesty International UK's director, Kate Allen, said: "The Prime Minister ought to make it clear to Sheikh Salman that Bahrain's relations with the UK will suffer if the Bahraini authorities refuse to allow peaceful protests or conduct proper investigations into numerous allegations that detained protesters have been tortured." Continue reading and comment » | Andy McSmith | Friday, May 20, 2011

Libya Rebels Get Diplomatic Boost
The Libyan opposition seems to be scoring one diplomatic victory after another over Muammar Gaddafi.

The Libyan rebels get a warm welcome from David Cameron, the UK prime minister, as they prepare to meet senior officials in Obama administration.

Get a Grip, Cameron Told after About-turn on Duke
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron was urged to “get a grip” on Monday night after Downing Street appeared to change its position on whether to support the Duke of York.

On Sunday, an anonymous source within No.10 said that there would be no “tears shed” if the Duke stood aside from his role as Britain’s trade ambassador. But yesterday morning the Prime Minister’s official spokesman insisted that the Government was “fully supportive” of his decision to stay on.

The spokesman added that ministers were not reviewing the Duke’s position, despite suggestions from within No.10 hours earlier that the Duke would have to stand down if more allegations emerged.

The about-turn cast a shadow over Craig Oliver’s first full week as the Government’s director of communications.

The assurances also appeared to contradict remarks by Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, whose department oversees the work of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).

On Sunday, as increasingly damaging reports emerged about the Duke’s connections with Jeffrey Epstein, the billionaire convicted paedophile, ministers appeared reluctant to defend the Duke. >>> Rosa Prince, Political Correspondent | Monday, March 07, 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Downing Street puts arm around Duke of York following anonymous briefings: Downing Street yesterday moved to defend the Duke of York’s position as United Kingdom trade envoy amid concerns about anonymous briefings against him from within No 10. >>> Rosa Prince, Political Correspondent | Monday, March 07, 2011

Related >>>

WikiLeaks Is Threatening National Security, Says Downing Street
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The leak of thousands of confidential diplomatic cables by WikiLeaks is damaging to national security, Downing Street said today.

King Abdullah of Sauid Arabia, US Foreign Secretary Hillary Clinton and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Photo: The Daily Telegraph
David Cameron’s officials have been briefed personally by the United States ambassador to London as No10 braces for further embarrassing revelations from WikiLeaks throughout this week.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: "Clearly we condemn the unauthorised release of classified information. The leaks and their publication are damaging to national security in the United States and in Britain, and elsewhere.

“It's important that governments are able to operate on the basis of confidentiality of information.”

Asked what it was that was “damaging” the spokesman added: "It has the potential to be damaging (to national security) but the very fact that this is inhibiting the conduct of governments ... governments need to be able to operate on a confidential basis when dealing with this kind of information, and the very fact that it is being leaked is damaging."

However, No10 stopped short of backing calls from US politicians to declare WikiLeaks a terrorist organisation. >>> Andrew Porter, Political Editor | Monday, November 29, 2010

THE GUARDIAN: WikiLeaks US embassy cables: live updates >>>

French Resistance Anniversary Marked in London
THE GUARDIAN: Carla Bruni and Samantha Cameron lead their husbands to lunch inside 10 Downing Street


To the gallery >>>

Pro-Arab Bias in Downing Street! Gaza Flotilla Attack: William Hague Attacks Israel Over Arrests
THE TELEGRAPH: William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, has launched an outspoken attack on the Israeli authorities over their arrests of British detainees from the flotilla.

As the detainees were deported from a prison camp via Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, Mr Hague said he was "seriously concerned" at the seizure of British nationals in international waters.

He added that nine had still not been seen by consular staff, and complained of the difficulty in gaining access to the other 28.

"We are urgently pressing the Israeli government to resolve this situation within hours," Mr Hague said. "There is real, understandable and justified anger at the events which have unfolded.

"In some cases consular staff have been having to go to the prison at Beersheva, hammer on doors and ask people if they are British. It has been a chaotic situation, it is completely unsatisfactory."

Earlier in the day the prime minister, David Cameron, used question-time in the House of Commons to call the Israeli attack on the flotilla "completely unacceptable".

Together the attacks on Israel and its government amount to a new low in the rapidly deteriorating relationship between Britain and Israel.

While the Foreign Office has often notoriously been criticised for pro-Arab leanings, the Israelis have always been assured of an understanding ear in Downing Street, particularly under the governments of Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair. That may now have changed. >>> Richard Spencer and Murray Wardrop | Wednesday, June 02, 2010

New British PM David Cameron Makes First Address

Gordon Brown to Resign: A Very Labour Coup
THE TELEGRAPH: Gordon Brown has been accused of a “sordid” attempt to keep Labour in power after offering his resignation in return for a coalition with the Liberal Democrats.



On a day of high political drama, Mr Brown seized on David Cameron’s failure to secure a pact with Nick Clegg by opening formal talks to agree a so-called “coalition of losers”.

In a surprise announcement, the Prime Minister offered to oversee talks between the two parties before stepping down by the time of the Labour conference in September, when a new leader would be chosen by party members.

If accepted, the proposal would mean Mr Brown remaining in Downing Street for another five months and voters being presented with a second unelected prime minister in a row.

The leadership campaign, which is likely to be contested by David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, his brother Ed, the Climate Change Secretary, and Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, and others, will only begin after any talks are concluded.

Last night senior Conservatives accused the Lib Dem leader of “treachery” after it emerged that Mr Clegg had changed the basis of a deal with Mr Cameron just minutes before Mr Brown made his statement.

John Reid, the former Labour Home Secretary, warned that a Labour-Lib Dem coalition would result in “mutually assured destruction” for both parties. >>> Andrew Porter, Political Editor | Monday, May 10, 2010

An End to the Worst Thirteen Years in British Politics in Sight! General Election 2010: Gordon Brown and David Cameron Set Stage for May 6 Poll



THE TELEGRAPH: Gordon Brown has called the General Election for May 6 and launched his campaign by calling for a ‘mandate’ to restore the trust between voters and the politicians elected to represent them.

The Prime Minister put the economy at the heart of the campaign by urging the electorate not to risk the recovery by voting for the Conservatives.

Standing in front of his Cabinet, he said: “Britain is on the road to recovery and nothing we do should put that recovery at risk.

"Over the next few weeks I will go round the country - the length and breadth of our land - and I will take to the people a very straightforward and clear message. Britain is on the road to recovery and nothing we do should put that recovery at risk.

"Get the big decisions right - as we did in the last 18 months since the world recession - and jobs, prosperity and better standards of living will result.

"Get the big decisions wrong and the lives of hundreds of thousands of people are diminished as a result."

Disclosing the “worst-kept secret” in politics, Mr Brown confirmed that the General Election would take place on May 6. >>> Rosa Prince, Political Correspondent | Tuesday, April 06, 2010

President Sarkozy Irritated by Questions Over His Marriage
THE TELEGRAPH: Nicolas Sarkozy, the French President, has angrily rebuked a journalist for asking about rumours surrounding his marriage to Carla Bruni.


At a joint Downing Street press conference with Gordon Brown, Mr Sarkozy was twice pressed on the recent flurry of speculation that his marriage was in trouble.

He snapped at a French journalist who raised the subject calling his question idiotic.

And minutes later when a British member of the press asked him to deny the rumours the French president simply refused to answer before Mr Brown called the briefing to an end.

Mr Sarkozy’s irritation was plain when he responded to the first question.

He told the journalist: "You must know very little about what the President of the Republic actually has to do all day long. I certainly don't have time to deal with these ridiculous rumours, not even half a fraction of a second.

"I don't even know why you use your speaking time to put such an idiotic question." >>> Andrew Porter, Political Editor | Friday, March 12, 2010

This reply, Mr President, was most unconvincing! No time to deal with such "ridiculous rumours" indeed! You had time for courting Carla, though; so why should we believe that you have absolutely no time to find out what's being said and tweeted about your marriage? By the way, M. le président, that photo of you is most unbecoming. You look as though you're clutching a broomstick for dear life at take-off! – © Mark

Gordon Brown Issues Posthumous Apology to Bletchley Park Codebreaker
THE TELEGRAPH: Gordon Brown today issues a posthumous apology to a Second World War code breaker who killed himself after being tried and convicted of being homosexual.

The Prime Minister said Alan Turing was treated “terribly". Mr Brown was responding to a campaign to get a formal apology from the Government. Thousands of people have signed a Downing Street petition.

However a formal apology is not possible as Mr Turing has no known surviving family. Instead Mr Brown offered a personal apology.

In an article for the Daily Telegraph, he said: “Alan Turing was a quite brilliant mathematician, most famous for his work on breaking the German Enigma codes. It is no exaggeration to say that, without his outstanding contribution, the history of the Second World War could well have been very different. He truly was one of those individuals we can point to whose unique contribution helped to turn the tide of war. >>> Andrew Porter, Political Editor | Friday, September 11, 2009

Gordon Brown Issues Apology for 'Inhumane' Treatment of Alan Turing
TIMES ONLINE: Gordon Brown has issued a formal government apology to Alan Turing, the Second World War code-breaker who committed suicide after being found guilty of gross indecency with another man.

The Prime Minister last night said that Turing, who took his own life in 1954, had been treated “inhumanely”.

He also paid tribute to Turing's work cracking the German Enigma codes at Bletchley Park, which historians believe hastened the end of the war in Europe by as much as two years.

Writing on the Downing Street website after around 30,00 signed a petition calling for an apology, Mr Brown said that 2009 had been a year for “deep reflection” and a chance for Britain “to commemorate the profound debts we owe to those who came before”.

He went on: “I am both pleased and proud that, thanks to a coalition of computer scientists, historians and LGBT activists, we have this year a chance to mark and celebrate another contribution to Britain’s fight against the darkness of dictatorship; that of code-breaker Alan Turing.”

The petition was the idea of John Graham-Cumming, a computer scientist, and pays tribute to Turing as "the greatest computer scientist ever born in Britain". Among those throwing their weight behind the campaign was the gay actor and TV star Stephen Fry, who urged his 750,000 followers on Twitter to sign up to the petition.

Describing Mr Turing as a “quite brilliant mathematician”, the Prime Minister said: “It is no exaggeration to say that, without his outstanding contribution, the history of World War Two could well have been very different. He truly was one of those individuals we can point to whose unique contribution helped to turn the tide of war.

“The debt of gratitude he is owed makes it all the more horrifying, therefore, that he was treated so inhumanely. In 1952, he was convicted of ’gross indecency’ — in effect, tried for being gay. His sentence — and he was faced with the miserable choice of this or prison — was chemical castration by a series of injections of female hormones. He took his own life just two years later.

“Thousands of people have come together to demand justice for Alan Turing and recognition of the appalling way he was treated. While Turing was dealt with under the law of the time and we can’t put the clock back, his treatment was of course utterly unfair and I am pleased to have the chance to say how deeply sorry I and we all are for what happened to him.” >>> Philippe Naughton | Friday, September 11, 2009

Petition Prompts No. 10 Apology Over Code Breaker Turing
THE INDEPENDENT: Gordon Brown issued an apology to a Second World War code-breaker who committed suicide after being found guilty of gross indecency with another man.

The Prime Minister last night said Alan Turing, who took his own life in 1954, had been treated "inhumanely" and paid tribute to his work cracking the German Enigma codes.

Writing on the Downing Street website after thousands signed a petition calling for an apology, Mr Brown said 2009 had been a year for "deep reflection" and a chance for Britain "to commemorate the profound debts we owe to those who came before" because of the 65th anniversary of the Normandy landings and the 70th anniversary of the UK's commitment to fight fascism. >>> Craig Woodhouse, Press Association | Friday, September 11, 2009

NUMBER 10:
Treatment of Alan Turing was “appalling” – PM >>> | Thursday, September 10, 2009

Related:
The Turing Enigma: Campaigners Demand Pardon for Mathematics Genius >>> Jonathan Brown, The Independent | Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Revealed: Lockerbie Link to Oil Exploration Deal
THE SUNDAY TIMES: The British government decided it was “in the overwhelming interests of the United Kingdom” to make Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber, eligible for return to Libya, leaked ministerial letters reveal.

Gordon Brown’s government made the decision after discussions between Libya and BP over a multi-million-pound oil exploration deal had hit difficulties. These were resolved soon afterwards.

The letters were sent two years ago by Jack Straw, the justice secretary, to Kenny MacAskill, his counterpart in Scotland, who has been widely criticised for taking the formal decision to permit Megrahi’s release.

The correspondence makes it plain that the key decision to include Megrahi in a deal with Libya to allow prisoners to return home was, in fact, taken in London for British national interests.

Edward Davey, the Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman, said: “This is the strongest evidence yet that the British government has been involved for a long time in talks over al-Megrahi in which commercial considerations have been central to their thinking.”

Two letters dated five months apart show that Straw initially intended to exclude Megrahi from a prisoner transfer agreement with Colonel Muammar Gadaffi, under which British and Libyan prisoners could serve out their sentences in their home country.

In a letter dated July 26, 2007, Straw said he favoured an option to leave out Megrahi by stipulating that any prisoners convicted before a specified date would not be considered for transfer.

Downing Street had also said Megrahi would not be included under the agreement.

Straw then switched his position as Libya used its deal with BP as a bargaining chip to insist the Lockerbie bomber was included.

The exploration deal for oil and gas, potentially worth up to £15 billion, was announced in May 2007. Six months later the agreement was still waiting to be ratified.

On December 19, 2007, Straw wrote to MacAskill announcing that the UK government was abandoning its attempt to exclude Megrahi from the prisoner transfer agreement, citing the national interest. >>> Jason Allardyce | Sunday, August 30, 2009

Lockerbie Bomber: Libya Broke Promise over Hero's Welcome, Says Scottish Justice Minister
THE TELEGRAPH: Kenny MacAskill, Scotland's justice secretary, accused Libya of breaking a promise not to give a hero's welcome to the freed Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset Ali Al Megrahi.

He told an emergency session of the Scottish Parliament: "It is a matter of great regret that Mr Megrahi was received in such an inappropriate manner.

"It showed no compassion or sensitivity to the families of the 270 victims of Lockerbie."

He went on: "Assurances had been given by the Libyan Government that any return would be dealt with in a low-key and sensitive fashion."

Mr MacAskill was speaking at a special session of the Scottish Parliament, recalled from its summer recess to allow MSPs to question him on his decision to free terminally-ill Megrahi.

The Justice Secretary defended his actions in freeing Megrahi on compassionate early release grounds, while turning down a request for him to be transferred to jail in Libya.

Earlier, Gordon Brown faced fresh criticism for commenting on England’s Ashes cricket victory, but remaining silent about what he thinks about the release of Abdulbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber.

Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader, said the Prime Minister’s continued refusal to comment on last week’s controversial release of Britain’s biggest mass murderer "absurd and damaging".

Downing Street maintained that the matter of Megrahi’s freedom was one for the Scottish administration, despite condemnation of the release by Barack Obama and the director of the FBI.

A spokesman for Downing Street, in response to repeated questions about the Prime Minister’s silence, repeatedly stated: “It was and it remains a decision for the Scottish Justice Secretary.”

However, Mr Brown has been more forthcoming about England’s Ashes victory – inviting criticism that he is happy to comment on frivolous matters, but not the release of a man who killed 270. >>> Andrew Porter, Political Editor | Monday, August 24, 2009