PAPERS RELEASE BACKS MR MACASKILL DECISION.

PAPERS RELEASE BACKS MR MACASKILL DECISION.

Commenting on the release of papers relating to the release of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi by the Scottish Government SNP MSP Michael Matheson said this information supported the decision made by the Justice Secretary and would silence opposition critics.

The papers released by the Scottish Government show

· The Parole board, Prison Governor and Prison social worker supported compassionate release.
· Strathclyde police said keeping Mr Megrahi in a house in Scotland would be of “extreme significance” to the Police Force.

· The medical evidence used by Mr MacAskill and provided in a report by the Director of Health and Social Care confirmed Al Megrahi’s life expectancy of around three months

· The meeting between Mr MacAskill and Mr Megrahi was done with the advice of senior officials
· That the process for considering Compassionate Release and for considering the Prisoner Transfer Request was considered separately and followed due process at all times.

· That Mr Megrahi was aware that the decision on his appeal was his alone.

Mr Matheson said;

“As this information shows the Scottish Government and the Scottish Justice Secretary has acted entirely properly throughout what has been a long and detailed process.

“This information exposes the claims made in recent days by Labour, the Lib Dems and the Conservatives for the political opportunism that they are.

“It is clear for all to see that at all times Mr MacAskill acted entirely properly and made his decisions in the proper manner.

“The Police, the Parole board, the Prisoner Governer and the medics agreed that Mr Megrahi satisfied the terms for release.

“The medical reports are clear that Mr Megrahi is approaching the end of his life, just as the note of Strathclyde Police advice shows that to keep Mr Megrahi in a home or hospice would have been entirely inappropriate.

“And his decision to visit Mr Megrahi in prison was advised by senior officials.

“These documents demonstrate that Kenny MacAskill made his decision in respect of both applications based on evidence and on due process.

“The Scottish Parliament will now debate the issue and following the release of this information there can be no argument that Kenny MacAskill acted anything other than properly in reaching what was a difficult decision.”

Notes- Key sections from the papers released by the Scottish Government

1. Medical report: (e) Mr Megrahi has undergone specialist consultations with a variety of medical consultants from across the UK and Libya. There has been, throughout the course of his illness, substantial consensus between both visiting and "home" specialists on matters of diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

The clinical assessment, therefore, is that a 3 month prognosis is now a
reasonable estimate for this patient.

2. Parole Board
“The Board was unanimous in agreeing to recommend to the Scottish Ministers , in terms of section 3 (2) of the 1993 Act, that Mr Al-Megrahi was suitable for early release on compassionate grounds.”

“His medical status is confirmed by a number of experienced consultant clinicians and by the palliative care team at the local hospice. Whilst there can be no absolute certainty as to such matters there can be very little doubt as to the short life expectancy which is now available to him.”

“In view of the serious nature of his medical condition, it would be appropriate to advise the Scottish Ministers that he can be considered suitable for compassionate release.”

3. Senior Social Worker, HMP Greenock
“Mr Al-Megrahi has advised that he would intend to reside within the family home on release and be supported within this environment. At present I have no information to provide that would indicate this is not appropriate.”

4. HMP Greenock Prison Governor, the report signed by him
“Do you consider that the prisoner should be released early? Yes.”
5. Note of verbal advice from DCC Neil Richardson, Strathclyde Police Friday 14 August
“The implication would be of extreme significance to the police force.”
“Would require close protection: simply to remain in house, with no movement or family staying (basic level) would require total of 48 officers to sustain close protection. . . Further protection would be needed for: trips to hospital, transportation would require a convoy, and police presence at the hospital . . There would also be an impact on the local community: increased risk of demonstrations and protests, which would require increased security presence. . . The police would also be required to invest in more firearms and materials to deal with such close levels of sustained security.”

6. Advice to Kenny from George Burgess, Head of Criminal Law and Licensing Division, 27 May 2009:
Para 9: “Mr Megrahi, as subject of the transfer request, should be given opportunity to make his own representation on the proposal for transfer.”

Recommendation

“The groups and individuals identified should be offered short meetings with you to present their representations.”