0:00:02 > 0:00:08were only notified in 20th February 11. He is right?
0:00:08 > 0:00:16On Newsnight Scotland, more claims over the man convicted of the loper
0:00:16 > 0:00:21-- Lockerbie bombing. Bomber mac claims he was asked to drop his
0:00:21 > 0:00:26appeal so he could beat let out early.
0:00:26 > 0:00:34Bomber mac remains the only man to be convicted of the Lockerbie
0:00:34 > 0:00:41bombing. His appeal was dropped in 2009 and shortly after, he was
0:00:41 > 0:00:51returned to Libya. He claims he was are urged to drop the appeal by the
0:00:51 > 0:00:56
0:00:56 > 0:01:03Scottish Government. We will hear from the brick's of there.
0:01:03 > 0:01:10The Lockerbie bomber says he is dying, but he is convinced new
0:01:10 > 0:01:17evidence that will prove his innocence. It will clear my name.
0:01:17 > 0:01:24Bomber mac dropped his appeal days after being visited in prison by
0:01:24 > 0:01:30the Justice Secretary. After he was returned to Libya, his biographer
0:01:30 > 0:01:36said the two things are linked. is adamant he would not have
0:01:36 > 0:01:43dropped his appeal had it not been indicated to him that dropping the
0:01:43 > 0:01:51appeal would enhance his chances of being granted compassionate release.
0:01:51 > 0:02:01The Scottish Government has issued a denial. It is not true. This is
0:02:01 > 0:02:02
0:02:02 > 0:02:11here said. It was all was a decision from Mr Alma graph a. The
0:02:11 > 0:02:20decision I was -- I made was not predicated by anything.
0:02:20 > 0:02:30evidence has been found casting doubt on his part in the bombing.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34He was identified to -- identified by a Maltese shopkeeper. House
0:02:34 > 0:02:41identification could be suspect. When he joined the line-up, the
0:02:41 > 0:02:51other man had seen a fall talk of him and a magazine. He denies it
0:02:51 > 0:02:57
0:02:57 > 0:03:07affected his judgment. I forget him. His crucial identification liked
0:03:07 > 0:03:09
0:03:09 > 0:03:15the man to the bomb were -- bombing. A government forensic scientist
0:03:15 > 0:03:25identified the plating on the fragment as 10 but said the circuit
0:03:25 > 0:03:31board was led and 10. Metallurgy justs have said it could have been
0:03:31 > 0:03:39affected by the explosion. When I analysed those samples, there was
0:03:40 > 0:03:44no loss of alloy Catch content. This led me to conclude that this
0:03:44 > 0:03:54sample was manufactured by a different process to the original
0:03:54 > 0:04:01fragment. This evidence was not presented at the trial. Campaigners
0:04:01 > 0:04:11say it is a further example that this is a miscarriage of justice.
0:04:11 > 0:04:12
0:04:12 > 0:04:17Earlier, I spoke to an ambassador. I asked him if he thought the
0:04:17 > 0:04:25conviction was signed. I think he would not have been turned over by
0:04:25 > 0:04:35Libyan authorities given the pressure on Libya at the time. He
0:04:35 > 0:04:39
0:04:39 > 0:04:43was found guilty and again on appeal. I think we must assume that
0:04:43 > 0:04:53this was done properly. Was it a mistake for him to drop his chance
0:04:53 > 0:04:54
0:04:54 > 0:05:03of a second appeal for? I do not know we will ever really know what
0:05:03 > 0:05:09the conversations where, but I think the evidence was compelling
0:05:09 > 0:05:12enough to make me think it was worth it. Thinking back to this as
0:05:12 > 0:05:22a Libyan state matter, they probably thought they had paid the
0:05:22 > 0:05:27
0:05:27 > 0:05:36price. They turned him over. It was probably not in their interest to
0:05:36 > 0:05:43admit he was responsible. If the Foreign Minister suggested to him
0:05:43 > 0:05:52it would be a good idea to drop his appeal, it might be in his
0:05:52 > 0:05:59interests as a Libyan minister. can be. I think the Libyan
0:05:59 > 0:06:04government had an interest in letting it drop at that point. I
0:06:04 > 0:06:09think the Libyan government would rather have got on with things.
0:06:09 > 0:06:16Scottish Government cab picked no pressure on him to drop his appeal.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20Could be have gained anything from that decision? Nor. I think the
0:06:20 > 0:06:30Scottish Government would have the most to gain by saying -- by doing
0:06:30 > 0:06:40what they said they'd done -- had done. In the eyes of the
0:06:40 > 0:06:43
0:06:43 > 0:06:53international community. if he was rightly convicted, he usually do
0:06:53 > 0:06:54
0:06:55 > 0:07:00not believe he did it alone? No. I assume this went higher than the
0:07:01 > 0:07:08Libyan government itself. We may never know the ins and outs. We
0:07:08 > 0:07:18must assume that he was handed over for a reason. You're not confident
0:07:18 > 0:07:24
0:07:24 > 0:07:30about the prospects of new leads What can I say? On the one hand,
0:07:30 > 0:07:36yes, it was possible new information we did know came to
0:07:36 > 0:07:39light. At the same time, Gaddafi's regime has crumbled and it was
0:07:40 > 0:07:43people inside the regime that would have known those things. They are
0:07:44 > 0:07:47not going to have any interest about talking about their own roles
0:07:47 > 0:07:51and responsibilities because they do not want to open themselves up
0:07:51 > 0:07:58to legal jeopardy. There is a book coming out tomorrow, there has been
0:07:58 > 0:08:02a documentary in Scotland, suggesting new evidence countering
0:08:03 > 0:08:07some of the evidence which convicted Megrahi. Do you think it
0:08:07 > 0:08:11would be worthwhile for there to be some kind of public inquiry in the
0:08:11 > 0:08:18UK or international aid for to examine all the evidence and bring
0:08:18 > 0:08:23new evidence out? -- internationally. Clearly I have not
0:08:23 > 0:08:31read the book ought seen the documentary. I am not in a position
0:08:31 > 0:08:36to comment. It is interesting. I would turn it back to the Scottish
0:08:36 > 0:08:40authorities themselves and what is the proper process once a case has
0:08:40 > 0:08:44been adjudicated and ruled on? We ought to think what is the normal
0:08:45 > 0:08:51legal procedure to be followed rather than reacting to claims.
0:08:51 > 0:08:58However, those may be followed up on. Don't the victims' relatives
0:08:58 > 0:09:04deserve some fresh examination of the evidence to try and get the
0:09:04 > 0:09:09full story of what happened on that fateful night? I do think we owe it
0:09:09 > 0:09:13to the victims and their families at a sense of closure and a sense
0:09:13 > 0:09:16of justice. We have had that with the conviction of Megrahi and with
0:09:16 > 0:09:21the understanding of Libya was responsible. Also, the Libyan
0:09:21 > 0:09:26people rose up against Gaddafi and he was killed recently. People may
0:09:26 > 0:09:30see that as a measure of justice. I cannot comment on what the new
0:09:30 > 0:09:38information is and therefore what that might warrant. Is a question
0:09:38 > 0:09:41for the Scottish authorities to examine what is appropriate. Thank
0:09:41 > 0:09:46you. The author of the biography of
0:09:46 > 0:09:52Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi, John Ashton, joins me from Aidan ruff.
0:09:52 > 0:10:02Why they did Megrahi dropped his appeal? -- Edinburgh. Because he
0:10:02 > 0:10:09had a conversation with a minister who earlier that day had met Kenny
0:10:09 > 0:10:12MacAskill and said he told him he have any conversation with Mr
0:10:12 > 0:10:17MacAskill and Mr MacAskill indicated it would be easier for
0:10:17 > 0:10:22him to grant Megrahi compassionate release if he dropped his appeal.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26To be clear, he was not claiming Mr MacAskill have made that a they
0:10:26 > 0:10:33demand. He was not claiming Mr Gaskell told him that directly.
0:10:33 > 0:10:38us go through that. Is it possible for Libya's Foreign Minister made
0:10:38 > 0:10:48that up? Anything is possible. But you have to look at motive. There
0:10:48 > 0:10:49
0:10:49 > 0:10:59was no motive for him to live. blogger has suggested it would be
0:10:59 > 0:10:59
0:10:59 > 0:11:03in a Libya's interests. -- Kurt Volker. If that appeal had gone
0:11:03 > 0:11:09ahead, the conviction would have been overturned. That is why the
0:11:09 > 0:11:14Crown Office he is worried about their case. What would they have to
0:11:14 > 0:11:19fear from that outcome? Is it not part of justice had -- Scottish
0:11:19 > 0:11:24justice that people are able to challenge the verdicts in court and
0:11:24 > 0:11:30in a miscarriage has taken place, the conviction is quashed? They
0:11:30 > 0:11:36would have to fear being exposed for withholding evidence. This is a
0:11:36 > 0:11:40really shocking scenario. The amount of evidence they failed to
0:11:40 > 0:11:45disclose is truly shocking. Had that appeal gone ahead, this would
0:11:45 > 0:11:51have been exposed. Why do you think the Scottish authorities now seem
0:11:51 > 0:11:55so keen for the full report of the Scottish criminal case to be
0:11:55 > 0:12:05published? If they have something to fear from the content, then
0:12:05 > 0:12:05
0:12:05 > 0:12:10presumably they would try to some press it will stop -- suppress it.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15Legal minds have said they do not need to go through legal hoops.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19There are more simple procedures. It is my view they do not one that
0:12:19 > 0:12:23report to come out and they are delaying. It will come out
0:12:23 > 0:12:28eventually but they are playing the delaying game. Do you believe Kenny
0:12:28 > 0:12:34MacAskill and the Scottish government 20 say Mr MacAskill did
0:12:34 > 0:12:38not have private conversations with the Libyan Foreign Minister and any
0:12:38 > 0:12:45claims he suggested it would be a good idea to drop the appeal a
0:12:45 > 0:12:49false? A I am not going to make a comment on that. It would not be
0:12:49 > 0:12:54right. It seems to me if you are publishing a book which has this
0:12:54 > 0:13:01claim at its core, it is not unreasonable of me to ask you that
0:13:01 > 0:13:06that will stop snow but the book states clearly the Foreign Minister
0:13:07 > 0:13:12gave the sign. Mr MacAskill can say what he likes. Of a whole point of
0:13:12 > 0:13:16the book is for readers to make up their own mind. If you are prepared
0:13:16 > 0:13:21to accept the word of somebody who, at the moment, remains convicted of
0:13:21 > 0:13:26a very, very serious crime, and what he said about a conversation
0:13:26 > 0:13:31he had with a Libyan minister who is a member of a regime which was
0:13:31 > 0:13:35reviled internationally, it seems fair I can ask you whether you also
0:13:35 > 0:13:39are prepared to accept the word of a Scottish government minister.
0:13:39 > 0:13:44have given my answer. You are not prepared to say you except the word
0:13:44 > 0:13:54he has given tonight? I think the word he has given tonight is not
0:13:54 > 0:13:54
0:13:54 > 0:13:58entirely clear. In what way? Let me quote what he said. He says we can
0:13:58 > 0:14:02say categorically neither the Scottish government had any
0:14:03 > 0:14:08involvement in that the dropping of the appeal or any interest in it.
0:14:08 > 0:14:14do not think that necessarily rolls out what Megrahi is saying. --
0:14:14 > 0:14:19rolls out. I want to talk about the pieces of evidence you have brought
0:14:19 > 0:14:26to our attention. That is the time there and the metal make-up of it
0:14:26 > 0:14:31and how that appears to contradict the evidence given at the trial and
0:14:31 > 0:14:38the basis for that conviction. The MoD have issued a statement on that.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42They say the coating of this time there can be modified, that isn't
0:14:42 > 0:14:48key to its identification as a time there that could have been involved
0:14:48 > 0:14:53in the bombing. If you study what they said, they say recruiting of
0:14:53 > 0:15:03the control sample should be modified but long-haul point is the
0:15:03 > 0:15:13control samples were all coated with a tin. -- the whole point.
0:15:13 > 0:15:13
0:15:13 > 0:15:18They only use the tin method to coat the boards. Is there any
0:15:18 > 0:15:24chance this could ever be tested in a court of law, Devine Megrahi
0:15:24 > 0:15:30dropped his appeal and given he is ill? Yes because his case could go
0:15:30 > 0:15:35back to the Court of Appeal. The more urgent question is why did the
0:15:35 > 0:15:39Crown or withhold all the evidence they did? That has to be subject to
0:15:39 > 0:15:43a full inquiry. The Government, the Scottish government, has to abandon
0:15:43 > 0:15:46the fiction that this was a safe conviction. They have to distance
0:15:47 > 0:15:50themselves from the Crown Office and look at it objectively and
0:15:51 > 0:15:54asked why the Crown Office withheld this evidence. Some people might
0:15:54 > 0:16:00question your motives. How much money will you make from the
0:16:00 > 0:16:06publication of the book? I have worked for two years without pay. I
0:16:06 > 0:16:11have -- I will be fortunate to make that back. The boat is based on
0:16:11 > 0:16:21Crown evidence. Is the evidence that should have been heard at that
0:16:21 > 0:16:27
0:16:27 > 0:16:31trial and was not. Thank you. John Ashton will be appearing on Good
0:16:31 > 0:16:39Morning Scotland tomorrow. A quick look at the papers. The Lockerbie
0:16:39 > 0:16:48story is a side bar in the Scotsman. That is a picture of Eric Joyce,
0:16:48 > 0:16:55the Labour MP. It is about North Sea oil slumps. They are reporting
0:16:55 > 0:16:58on the biggest production drop for 40 years. The Independent, they are
0:16:58 > 0:17:04featuring Charlotte Church and the Leveson Inquiry. The Daily
0:17:04 > 0:17:09Telegraph have a picture of the Oscars will stop They are talking
0:17:09 > 0:17:19about HIV drugs on the Daily Telegraph. Than is all from us will
0:17:19 > 0:17:28
0:17:28 > 0:17:34A very mild night out there tonight. It will be a mild day tomorrow.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38Most places will be cloudy. We should see the summer sunshine. In
0:17:38 > 0:17:43the West, it will be overcast. There will be rain and drizzle over
0:17:43 > 0:17:47the Pennines and in England. Down the east, there will be sunshine
0:17:47 > 0:17:52and that will bump up the temperatures. They could reach 15
0:17:52 > 0:17:59degrees. South-west England will stay gloomy. There could be sea fog.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03It could be a grey day. That could be a factor in Wales. When it stays
0:18:03 > 0:18:09dull -- where it says dull, temperatures will reach 11 degrees.
0:18:09 > 0:18:14It will be cloudy in Ireland. There is a chance of sunny spells in
0:18:14 > 0:18:20Belfast. The same split across Scotland. In the West, it will be
0:18:20 > 0:18:27dull. In the east, temperatures will rocket up. The outlook is more
0:18:27 > 0:18:31of the same. Temperatures may be a degree also lower. Quite a lot of
0:18:31 > 0:18:36cloud. By Wednesday, parts of South Wales and south-west England are