LEGAL COMMUNITY BACK MACASKILL

LEGAL COMMUNITY BACK MACASKILL

A poll of Scottish lawyers by Scottish Legal News has backed Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill’s decision to release the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing on compassionate grounds.

The survey carried out by Scottish Legal News showed that more than two-thirds of lawyers supported the Justice Secretary’s ruling.

A total of 424 readers responded to the survey, with two-thirds (67.9 per cent) saying ‘Yes’, the minister made the right call.

Responding to the poll SNP MSP Stewart Maxwell, a member of the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee said:

"This is a welcome endorsement from Scotland's legal community for the decision Kenny MacAskill has taken.

"Throughout this process Kenny MacAskill has stressed that this was a legal decision taken in a quasi-judicial capacity, something which has been recognised by Scotland's legal community.

"Scotland's legal system is a strong system that deserves the support of our politicians.

"For politicians to suggest decisions should have been taken on anything but judicial grounds shows a lack of respect for the laws of our land.

"This poll is part of growing support for Kenny MacAskill's decision, with the legal community joining voices from Scottish Civic society, the Church of Scotland and the Catholic Church in Scotland who have backed Megrahi's release on compassionate grounds, as well as politicians from all sides who have spoken out in support of this decision."