MAIL ONLINE: Gordon Brown was under growing pressure to speak out about the release of the Lockerbie bomber today as Scotland's Justice Minister fights for his political life.
There is mounting anger both at home and in the U.S. at the Prime Minister's silence over the decision to free Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi.
The Tories accused Mr Brown of adopting a 'cowardly silence' and the Liberal Democrats said it was 'absurd and damaging' not to speak up.
American consumers are now being urged to boycott British and Scottish exports and holiday in Ireland instead of the UK.
And security sources fear counter-terrorism co-operation with the U.S. could be at risk after the head of the FBI said Megrahi's release was a 'mockery of justice'.
The 'special relationship' is also under fresh strain over new allegations linking UK trade interests with freeing Megrahi.
Opposition MPs have demanded records of all meetings between ministers and the Libyan regime to see if the claims have any foundation.
Megrahi was sent home to Libya last weekm where he was given a hero's welcome, after being released on compassionate grounds because he has terminal cancer.
But despite the controversy, Mr Brown has yet to make any public comment about the move which has led to warnings of 'payback time' from the U.S. >>> James Chapman, Sean Poulter and Ian Drury | Monday, August 24, 2009
