19/08/2011 Reporting Scotland

Welcome to Reporting Scotland. A leading cancer specialist tells

us that the decision to release the Lockerbie bomber was based on

flawed medical advice. I said at the time I thought it was a mistake

to send him back to Libya. years on, Alex Salmond defends the

decision. The billion pound project, the

total bill for any number's trams could be double the original

estimate. -- Edinburgh. We reflect on a night of

disappointment for Scottish teams in Europe.

A leading cancer specialist has told BBC Scotland the decision to

release the Lockerbie bomber on compassionate grounds was based on

flawed medical advice. Professor Roger Kirby has been speaking on

the eve of the second anniversary of Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi

being freed. Our Home Affairs Correspondent reports.

The pictures went around the world, the man convicted of 270 murders

leaves prison in Scotland. He had served at just over 10 years of a

life-sentence. In the words of the Justice Secretary, he was going

home to die. Two years later he was still alive. I remember seeing the

shots of him. He looked very ill there, he was definitely in trouble.

I said at the time I thought it was a mistake to send him back to Libya.

The assumption he would be dead in three months, clearly that was a

guest and it turned out to be very incorrect. Last month, Abdel Basset

Ali al-Megrahi was alive and attending a rally to support

Colonel Gadaffi, post positive of making a prognosis of death. The

Scottish government has published a medical report on his application

for release. It shows he was diagnosed with prostate cancer,

there was an informal estimate of 18-20 months life expectancy. By

April the next year, hormone treatment had failed, evidence the

report said of the aggressive nature of his disease. By 2009, his

life expectancy was short but specialists would not commit to a

timescale of less than three months. Just before the was released his

doctors said he had deteriorated so. The Scottish government say they

are not embarrassed about releasing him. After two years every bit of

information demonstrates that the Scottish government, almost alone,

made a decision based on Scottish justice and in good faith. As part

of the conditions of Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi's release he must

keep in touch with social workers here. A video conference link has

been established to allow them to do that. Officials have never

commented on when they have spoken to him or what his condition is,

but it is my understanding they have spoken to him in the last

fortnight. Whatever the political and medical debates of the past two

years, the focus of many families around the world will remain on the

270 family's -- people killed by the Lockerbie bomber.

Our Correspondent in Tripoli told us that little is known about Abdel

Basset Ali al-Megrahi's present state of health.

It is very hard to get any information on him. He is certainly

not high on the list of Government priorities during this current

phase of the war. He is in a wheelchair, and is being kept alive,

one report suggested by a doctor here in Tripoli, about very

expensive drugs that appear to be prolonging his life. As for the

likely outcome for him, the likely future for him if the Gadaffi

regime falls in the coming weeks or months as now looks increasingly

likely, again, that is difficult to say. It is clear to say that he is

safe in a Gadaffi controlled Libya. His situation is clearly one that

is supported and backed by the Government here. You would have to

assume therefore if Colonel Gadaffi fell from power and if his

government was no longer in control that there could be a greater risk

to Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi. However, at the same time, in a

post Gadaffi era, I would have thought he would be pretty low down

whatever her authority comes into power here in Tripoli in the future.

He would be low down their list of priorities, and that could also see

his position here in Libya and his continued treatment here in Libya

safeguarded. But that is just a guess.

You are watching Reporting Scotland. This fringe on the fringe. How

Edinburgh's festivals are spreading beyond the city centres.

It has been a great day here at the International Horse trials. Join me

later for a full weekend weather. In sport we will be asking what

last night's disappointing results The total cost of the Edinburgh

trams project is expected to exceed �1 billion. The council revealed

this afternoon it will have to borrow more than �200 million to

complete the project and repaid over 30 years. Our correspondent is

on Princes Street tonight. This has been another grim day for

supporters of the Edinburgh tram project. It will cost more to build

the the line only as far as the city centre than we were told as

recently as June. We also now know that the cost of borrowing the

money needed to complete that work, well, that is going to push the

final bill comfortably over the billion pound barrier.

The ups and downs of the head under a tram project mean these

youngsters will be approaching middle-age by the time the city

finally clears the debts it will have to run up to pay for the

scheme which has staggered from crisis to crisis -- Edinburgh. The

tram tracks here have never been used. They are about to be repaired,

a reminder if it were needed, that this project has been beset by

crisis from the very start. Tonight there are still many unanswered

questions. We were still being told at the turn of the year that we

would be able to build the tram for something like �660 million. Why

are the figure so different now? That is something I want to know.

And the politicians accept the capital has become a laughing

stocks. I am embarrassed as a councillor. It is a joke. We are

here at the Festival, I can imagine all the jokes going on about the

tram project. I really feel that the Lib Dems and SNP council who

are supposed to be in charge, have mismanaged this project. The entire

tram system should have been completed by now. All we have to

show our these computer-generated images. That is unlikely to change

any time soon and Edinburgh's residence could be forgiven for

asking if they have been taken for a ride. What are now for the body

set up by Edinburgh City Council to deliver this project on time and on

budget. I am told tonight that the project will now be run by external

consultants. This evening, very serious questions are being asked

about the information which has been given to senior councillors as

recently as just a few weeks ago. Shell says it has managed to stop

oil leaking into the North Sea nine days after the spill was first

discovered. They say they will be monitoring the pipeline closely for

the next couple of days. They have confirmed an investigation is under

way into the cause and that there is around a ton of oil still

floating on the surface. Very light oil which is out there. It

evaporates and it is relatively easy for the sea to break it up. We

imagine that process will now continue. House in question mark it

is impossible to say. At the rate it has been declining, it should

not take very long. What more can you tell us about this operation?

This is the operation were divers were sent down to manually switched

off the father were this boy was leaking from. The process of doing

that took one hour. It has taken several days of preparation and a

risk assessment. All that time, oil was continuing to spill into the

North Sea. That has been completed. While that was going on, more of

these concrete blankets have been laid on top of the pipeline to

secured. It had floated above the seabed. That is now there to make

sure it stays where it is an to make sure when the pipeline valve

was switched off it did not cause any further problems.

What is likely to happen in the longer term?

Over the next few days, Shell will be monitoring that pipeline to make

sure there are no unexpected consequences from turning off this

valgus. They will continue to lay more of these mattresses to secured.

They will also be working out how to get them remaining 660 tonnes of

oil out of the pipeline. One other thing to add is that while that is

going on at sea, in the building behind me they have already

launched an investigation into the cause. Shell are still saying they

have no idea why this boy it leaked into the sea. There will be an

investigation here -- this or oil. Some of the other stories across

Scotland this Friday. 300 new jobs are coming to Scotland.

Acker Solutions are expanding. The oil services country say they

are boosting their workforce to deal with the big rise in orders.

Edinburgh council had refused permission for or Scottish Defence

League to hold a march next month despite police saying they were

confident they could do with any disruption. Supporters held a rally

in Edinburgh last year. Sir Brian Souter and Ann Gloag are

in line for an 80 million pound payout from Stagecoach. It is part

of a proposed payout to shareholders.

Tomorrow marks the 70th anniversary of the first Arctic convoy which

brought vital supplies to Russia during the Second World War. Many

of the ships left from Scotland and almost 3,000 see men died during

attacks by German U-boats. There are plans to create a museum to

honour those who took part. Northwards to the Arctic Circle.

More than 100 merchant vessels and Royal Navy warships were sunk

during convoys which cut the Russian supplied with weapons, fuel

and food as they battled Hitler's Germany. Winston Churchill

described these journeys as the most dangerous of the war. Last

year, the Russian Council in Devon there were awarded special medals

to survival of -- surviving veterans. The weather you could

contend with. What I could not contend with, really, was when a

ship went down. You see people in the water, that is what makes your

skin creep. Survivors are now mostly in their 90s, but some will

travel to Wester Ross tomorrow where a ceremony will recall their

exploits. On behalf of the veterans we have organised a memorial

service because it is the 70th anniversary this weekend of the

very first convoy to set sail for Russia in 1941. We have 15 veterans

that are going to be with us. now A1 million pound appeal is

being launched to create a special museum as a tribute to those brave

men who face the Arctic wades as well as German U-boats planes and

warships. It is important because this is where 19 of the convoys

sailed from and it was the last point of contact with the UK.

museum will keep alive the story of those who survived the Russian

Arctic convoys and their 3,000 Edinburgh's festivals may be worth

a quarter of a billion pounds to the local economy, but the focus

tends to be on the city centre. This year, there is a push to move

the Fringe into other parts of the city, especially Leith. Polymer

claimed reports. -- Pauline M McLean.

It is always good to stretch yourself, and for these performance,

it means the on the traditional boundaries of the Fringe. This is

one of 19 shows in Leith. What we have had to do is provide a range

of events for different ages and groups, parents might want to come

and drop the kids off, so they can do some shopping, or you can see a

show in the morning for the kids then: have lunch somewhere. Then

adults come and see a show in the afternoon. If they have made the

travel arrangements to get here, they might as well stay in the area

and enjoy what we have to offer. Leith has staged a limited number

of shows before but research shows audiences did not hang around

afterwards. Local businesses say that downturn can be reset --

reversed, then they would be happy to be involved. A I think the

business would support that. I think in terms of artists using

venues in Leith, it can be too far to go for some of them. There is a

cluster of events. But despite the offer of some high-profile shows,

it could be a tough task. People tend to stay in town. There is

better stuff in the city centre. there was a venue that they could

not get into and, we would consider going there. I cannot be bothered

to walk further! But a Westpoint believe they are off to a flying

start and hope to set their sights even higher. -- Leith.

Now with all the sport, here is David.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon says there has been a massive over-

reaction to Scottish clubs' poor results in Europe. Celtic's match

at home to Sion ended goalless. Rangers lost his will be in the air

and Hearts were the biggest losers. It was billed as a Battle of

Britain and ended up and coming in Scothern has produced some

fantastic the ball over the years. The money is in the Premier League.

It is a different game. And Leeds apart, especially when it comes to

finance. Last year the Tynecastle side's turnover was around �8

million. Spurs, �120 billion. So what about squad value? Combined,

about �10 million for Hearts. The White Hart Lane dressing room is

worth around �190 million. Last night's European disappointment was

not on the reserve for Hearts. Celtic ended in a goalless draw

with Sion. It was all going so well for Rangers against Maribor. It got

worse white at the end, at 2-1 defeat for a downbeat Alastair

McCoist. I cannot speak for them, but from our point of view,

disappointing as last night's result was, I firmly believe we

will go through. Do we need to get real with our expectations?

could compare are teams to the World of teams and other countries.

But now we could only watch in awe and wonder at are wealthy

neighbours. Tomorrow is the last chance for

some of Scotland's rugby players to make sure of a place in the squad

for next month's World Cup finals. The Scots are at home to Italy in

their final warm-up match. Andy Robinson names his 30 man pool for

the trip to New Zealand on Monday and good performances could secured

a seat on the Scots team plane. Here is our rugby editor Jim Mason.

Scotland's coach watches his men go through their last-minute

preparation. This may be a warm-up match, but that look of intense

concentration means only one result is acceptable. Winning. The

predicted for any international game. A full on Test match in the

Six Nations, to any 10 Scotland plays the pitch, it is about

winning. Winning will be everything tomorrow. Italy will be tough, but

a far greater prize awaits the players. That prize is a World Cup

place. Scotland have beaten Italy in the last two games at

Murrayfield. One more performance like that and New Zealand beckons.

It is a great team to be facing in the run-up to the World Cup. Italy

are similar to the Argentinians. They are menaces at the breakdown

and that is something the Argentinians are also. I think the

key tomorrow will to be getting to a breakdown faster than they do.

Something we have been working on in training. With tries like this

against Wales, John Barclay is one of Scotland's most influential

players. It is a huge honour to play to your country and to play in

a World Cup takes it up another level. New Zealand, the unofficial

home of rugby, I guess. I think it will just be crazy over there. I

think it will be the highlight of my career so far. And that is what

all the players are chasing tomorrow at Murrayfield, the honour

of representing Scotland against the world.

You can for neurone opinion about who deserves a seat on the plane to

New Zealand by watching the match live on BBC Two tomorrow afternoon,

coverage starts at 4.45. Andy Murray is through to the semi-

finals of the Cincinnati must-have. -- Cincinnati Masters. He beat

Giles Simon of France in straight sets in the quarter-finals. He will

play Mardy Fish, or, wait for red, Rafael Nadal. Cheer us up after a

bad night for Scottish football! Staying with sport, some of the

world's best show jumpers are in Perthshire for the Blair Castle

International Horse Trials. Around 40,000 people are expected to

attend. Andrew Anderson is one of them.

It is Scotland's Premier equestrian event. For four days, 400 riders

will be putting their horses through their paces. Blair Castle

attracts the best, riders like William Fox-Pitt. Also here, up and

coming talents like well spoke to him. It was a dressage today for

him and his cause. He knows he is up against tough competition.

really tough. You watch the German and French forces dance around in

the dressage. You kind of which you could run them out of the way and

make them do worse! -- you kind of wish. After the dressage, it is

time to get money in the cross country. A gruelling challenge for

horse and rider. This is a truly international competition,

attracting riders from around the world to this part of Perthshire.

And of course, spectators. brought a group of 16 people from

all over the United States to come and see the horse trials. Very good

horse trials. We usually come back on the Saturday and watched the

show jumping on the Sunday. It is also a chance for the up and coming

riders to show what they can do. Who knows, there might be a future

Olympic champion. With the Olympics just a year of, Team GB has got off

to a good start. We have got 25 different nations competing this

year. That is enhanced by a lot of nations in the European Under 21

championships. They are very significant entry. The spectators

seems set for some great events. Staff is also a Blair Castle

tonight and he has got all the weekend's weather. -- Stav.

It has been a nice day across much of the country. Fairly cloudy, but

a weather front has been pushing in. It has started raining here in

Perthshire. For tonight, but rain will continue to spread its way

eastwards. As it does so, there eastwards. As it does so, there

will be strong southerly winds. You can see that rain on the map,

moving eastwards. It will start to fizzle out and almost died a death

before it reaches eastern areas. Some clear spots appearing by Don.

Showers in the west and North West. A mild night to come. Sticking in

double figures. Tomorrow morning, it is a bright start, good spells

of sunshine. Those showers will continue are crossed Western and

north-western areas. Becoming heavier and more prolonged. If we

take a closer look across southern parts, starting through the

afternoon, lots of sunshine. Temperatures 18 or 19 Celsius.

Moving up the west coast, that is where we come across those showers.

Some of them merging together. But with some shelter for that south-

westerly, it is staying pretty dry and bright in the East. If you are

heading to the hills, the Western and North Western Rangers will be

unsettled with showers. -- Rangers. Some strong south-westerly wind,

deal force at times. Best of the conditions across eastern and

southern Rangers. Windy on the summit. It looks like the wind will

be from a set south-west direction, good visibility but four, five or

maybe even six. Across the east, still windy and visibility will be

good. For the West -- for the rest of Saturday, we will see brain,

heavy at times but there are the away overnight. -- reign. If you

look at the pressure Chirk, that pressure is anchored. Bringing

westerly wind. Sunday does not look too bad with sunny spells and

showers in the West but on Monday, showers in the West but on Monday,

we lose the wind, sunny spells in the east.

Now just before 7 o'clock, a summary of tonight's top stories.

Gunmen and suicide bombers have stormed the British Council offices

in Kabul. Killing 12 people. The dead include a number of Afghan

police men and guards and a New Zealand soldier. No British people

were killed. Leading cancer specialist Professor

Roger Kirby says the decision to release the Lockerbie bomber it was

based on flawed medical advice. He was speaking on the eve of the

second anniversary of Abdel Basset al-Megrahi's release after being

diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer.

The total cost of the Edinburgh trams project is expected to exceed

�1 billion. And the report says Edinburgh City Council will have to

borrow �231 million to pay for it. It also once repayments will cost

more than �50 million a year over the next three decades.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had been visiting the area of

Birmingham where three men were run over and killed during the riots.

Prince William and Kate met emergency workers and local

residents after community centre in Winson Green.