Report Confirms UK Ministers "Wanted Lockerbie Bomber Release"

Press Release

A new report released today details how the government of the United Kingdom actively supported the release of the convicted Lockerbie bomber from a Scottish prison in 2009. The new report, released today by Sir Gus O'Donnell, the UK's most senior civil servant, found "underlying desire" to see the convicted terrorist Al-Megrahi released. Recent press reports have also shown that the Scottish government traded Al-Megrahi's release for protection from a series of lawsuits.

The report supports the conclusions of a recent Senate investigation into the matter spearheaded by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, and joined by Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Charles Schumer (D-NY).

Senator Menendez said: "The UK didn't just turn a blind eye to Al-Megrahi's release -- they cut deals that set the terrorist free. The UK and Scottish governments' repeated denials, even when confronted by specific and compelling evidence, get more ludicrous by the day. It is time that these governments launch independent investigations into the matter and put the wheels in motion to return Al-Megrahi to prison."

Senator Lautenberg said, "More than a year after his release, Al-Megrahi remains alive while the authorities who set him free continue to dodge responsibility. The latest maneuver comes from the UK's internal report that acknowledges the government's desire to see a mass murderer released, yet tries to shift blame. The denials continue to ring hallow. The families have suffered long enough and it's time to acknowledge the truth: justice was traded for commercial interests."

Senator Schumer said, "While this report claims that the British government didn't place pressure on Scottish authorities to release this terrorist, its strains credulity to expect anyone to believe that the position of the British government wasn't well known by those who granted Al-Megrahi his so-called compassionate release. This report confirms what many of us have long suspected: the British government and BP wanted Al-Megrahi released so that an oil deal being negotiated with Libya could go forward."

Senator Gillibrand said, "The Lockerbie scandal continues to undermine our ability to fight terrorism around the world. Today's report is deeply troubling -- not just for the families of the Lockerbie victims, but for all Americans and all nations of the world who are committed to bringing terrorists to justice. Economic and trade interests should never take precedence over matters of justice. If we're ever going to win the fight against international terrorism, the rule of law must hold strong."