Lockerbie release challenges UK PM's leadership

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(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-04 10:59

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown cheerfully promised new jobs at a youth conference this week, but he had little to smile about otherwise. Polls give him a big thumbs down for poor leadership on issues ranging from the Lockerbie bomber's release to his management of the Afghanistan war. [Agencies]

EDINBURGH, Scotland: Prime Minister Gordon Brown is facing mounting criticism as the widening controversy over the release of the convicted Lockerbie bomber posed yet another challenge to the prime minister's leadership.

After staying silent for days, Brown offered his strongest denial yet Wednesday that promises had been made to Libyan leader Moammar Khadafy regarding the fate of the 57-year-old Abdel Baset al-Megrahi - the only man convicted in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Scotland, which killed 270 people. Scotland freed al-Megrahi August 20 on compassionate grounds because he is in the advanced stages of terminal prostate cancer. Libya yesterday denied reports that al-Megrahi is in critical condition.

"There was no conspiracy, no cover up, no double dealing, no deal on oil, no attempt to instruct Scottish ministers," Brown said, responding to repeated allegations that commercial deals with Libya were at stake. "We made absolutely clear to the Libyans and everybody else that this was a decision for the Scottish government."

But Brown again shied away from saying whether he thought the release was justified.

Britain will hold a general election next year, with the opposition Conservative Party favored to defeat Brown's Labour Party. Many will attribute that result to the government's decision to join the Iraq war and Brown's lackluster leadership style. Brown has been accused of dithering over important issues since taking over in 2007 from the charismatic Tony Blair. Conservative Party leader David Cameron accused Brown on Wednesday of "double-dealing" when it came to the British public.

The criticism came as Scottish lawmakers voiced their disapproval of al-Megrahi's release in a symbolic vote.

The Scottish government had asked them to endorse al-Megrahi's release as "consistent with the principles of Scottish justice." But in a 73-50 vote, the legislators condemned Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill's decision to release him.

The British and Scottish governments released confidential documents Tuesday in an attempt to quell speculation about the motives for the release, but the disclosures appear to have raised more questions.

The documents showed that British authorities repeatedly stressed the importance of UK-Libyan relations and said Britain did not want al-Megrahi to die in prison, though US officials said on Tuesday they had assurances that al-Megrahi would serve his full sentence in Scotland.

Britain has regional governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that are responsible for local issues while the central government retains power over foreign policy.

"From the evidence that has emerged overnight, I believe the Brown government thought that Mr. Megrahi would be released, should be released, and was giving nudges and winks to the Libyans that that would be the case," said Bill Aitken, of the Scottish Conservatives. "The plot thickens."