Did The U.K. Trade Lockerbie Bomber for Oil Contracts?

[50CalRay]

This could be all hear say but there seems to be a rumor spreading that the U.K. traded the Lockerbie bomber for oil contracts. I'll post the article and you decide.

Did the UK trade Lockerbie bomber for oil contracts?

posted at 8:00 am on August 22, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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The outrage over the release of the bomber and mass murderer responsible for killing 270 innocent people grew overnight as a key Libyan political figure claimed that the release came as part of a commercial deal. Seif al-Islam, the son of Libyan strongman Moammar Gaddafi, met Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi at the airport and proclaimed him a hero in a display that embarrassed the UK when video of it hit British televisions. Gaddafi’s son then told interviewers that British commercial interests had required Megrahi’s release:

The release of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi was linked to trade deals with Britain, Seif al-Islam, the son of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi, said in a interview. …
“In all commercial contracts, for oil and gas with Britain, (Megrahi) was always on the negotiating table,” said Islam, interviewed late Thursday as he accompanied Megrahi on the flight back from Scotland to Libya.
“All British interests were linked to the release of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi,” Islam said in an interview broadcast by Libyan TV channel Al Mutawassit on Friday.

The Brown government in London quickly denied any commercial deal for Megrahi:

The claims were vehemently denied by the UK government.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “There is no deal. All decisions relating to Megrahi’s case have been exclusively for Scottish ministers, the Crown Office in Scotland and the Scottish judicial authorities.
“No deal has been made between the UK government and Libya in relation to Megrahi and any commercial interests in the country.”

This has turned into a massive embarrassment for Brown and his advisers. They have been reduced to admitting that they urgently requested Libya not to stage a hero’s welcome for Megrahi in order to keep from angering British voters. That effort failed miserably, as even before al-Islam’s remarks hit the televisions, Brits had reacted with shock and anger to Megrahi’s release.

Hot Air Blog Archive Did the UK trade Lockerbie bomber for oil contracts?

[50CalRay]

Update:

Here is some more info on this subject. This one really make sit look clear that Mr Brown was worked out a deal with Libia for the release of the Lockerbie bomber. The source link is filled a a lot more info and pictures than what I'm posting as well. Warning, it shows Kadafi him self hugging the Lockerbie bomber shortly after landing.

Gaddafi embraces Lockerbie bomber and thanks his 'courageous friend' Gordon Brown for releasing him

By James Chapman and Ian Drury
Last updated at 2:52 PM on 22nd August 2009


The international furore over the release of the Lockerbie bomber deepened today after he was seen embracing Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi.
In scenes that will provoke outrage among victims' families and the U.S. government, TV footage showed Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi meeting Gaddafi in Tripoli.

It came as Gordon Brown faced fresh pressure after shocking claims by Libya that the release of the bomber was linked explicity to trade deals benefiting Britain.

Read more: Hero's welcome for Lockerbie bomber Megrahi who slaughtered 270 | Mail Online

Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam said Megrahi's case was discussed at every meeting between the then Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Libyan leader.

But the Foreign Office strongly denied any link between the boosting of UK business interests and the freeing of the man convicted of Britain's worst terrorist atrocity.

A spokesman insisted: 'No deal has been made between the UK Government and Libya in relation to Megrahi and any commercial interests.'

The growing sense of unease in Downing Street intensified today after Col Gaddafi praised 'my friend' Gordon Brown and the British Government for their part in securing Megrahi's freedom.

'To my friends in Scotland, the Scottish National Party, and Scottish prime minister, and the foreign secretary, I praise their courage for having proved their independence in decision making despite the unacceptable and unreasonable measures that they faced. Nevertheless they took this courageously right and humanitarian decision,' he said.

Read more: Hero's welcome for Lockerbie bomber Megrahi who slaughtered 270 | Mail Online

Hero's welcome for Lockerbie bomber Megrahi who slaughtered 270 | Mail Online

[50CalRay]

Well now Gaddafi's son is bragging about his trade for the Lockerbie bomber

[Semiauto]

update:

David Cameron tonight called for an independent inquiry into the release of the Lockerbie bomber following claims that the Libyans were told that Gordon Brown did not want Abdelbaset al-Megrahi to die in jail.
Documents released today on the Megrahi affair state that the Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell had told the Libyans early this year that neither Brown nor foreign secretary David Miliband "would want Mr Megrahi to pass away in prison".


The disclosure appears to confirm suspicions that the prime minister has not commented on the controversial compassionate release of Megrahi on 20 August because he privately agrees with the Scottish government's decision.


Brown has resisted intense pressure from Cameron to denounce Megrahi's release. The prime minister has only criticised the joyful scenes when Megrahi landed at Tripoli airport, saying he was "repulsed" and "angry" at the hero's welcome.


The apparent concession by Rammell is revealed in the minutes of a meeting in March between the Libyan Europe minister, Abdulati Alobidi, and senior Scottish government officials, to discuss Libya's plans to seek Megrahi's transfer to a Libyan jail, using a different legal process.

Cameron calls for inquiry following claims Brown did not want Megrahi to die in jail | World news | guardian.co.uk