Alba/Scotland: FBI Chief Mueller Criticised By Lockerbie Victims Father

A spokesman for a Lockerbie families group has attacked the head of the US FBI for his comments following the decision of Scottish Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill, to release jailed Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi.

Jim Swire, whose daughter died in the Lockerbie bombing has made no secret of his concern about the safety of the guilty verdict Scottish Judges handed down to Megrahi.

However, the main thrust of his criticism of FBI Chief, Robert Mueller, was aimed at his failure to grasp the significance of compassion in the Scottish justice system. Swire said:

"I cannot understand how forcing Megrahi to die in prison when there was provision to extend him mercy could make anyone feel better. Since when have two wrongs made a right?"

He added: "My country, Scotland, is Christian and I believe Mr MacAskill's decision chimed with the Christian principle of attempting to extend love and mercy, even to one's presumed enemies."

In a barbed aside at the FBI role in the Lockerbie investigation Swire hinted that it might suit the agency to `trumpet' Megrahi's continuing guilty status saying:

"If it turns out that the verdict is wrong and that the real terrorists are not only free but aware that the evidence for a Libyan crime was fatally flawed, does that cause more harm to the "fight against terror" than freeing a dying man to spend his last days with his family?"

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

25/08/09