SUPPORT CONTINUES TO GROW FOR MACASKILL’S MEGRAHI DECISION

SUPPORT CONTINUES TO GROW FOR MACASKILL’S MEGRAHI DECISION

OPPOSITION HAVE BLUNDERED BY POLITICISING JUSTICE ISSUE

A new poll shows that support for the Justice Secretary’s decision to
grant compassionate release to Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi to return
to Libya to die is continuing to rise.

The YouGov poll of 1,556 voters commissioned by the SNP shows that support
for the decision has now drawn level with opposition, with 45% backing the
decision and 45% disagreeing.

A series of opinion polls taken over recent weeks with comparable
questions show that as the Justice Secretary has set out his position, and
as information on the case has been released and parliamentary scrutiny
taken place, support for the decision has increased.

In a poll taken prior to Mr Megrahi’s compassionate release only 11%
thought that he should be released on compassionate grounds.

The new YouGov poll – the largest to be conducted on this issue – also
shows an overwhelming number of Scots, 60%, agree that this kind of
decision should be made in Scotland, and that people believe Nelson
Mandela’s intervention has boosted Scotland’s international
representation. In looking at the response to the decision over the last
two weeks, 49% felt the support of Nelson Mandela had enhanced Scotland’s
international reputation, while 25% disagreed.

SNP MSP Michael Matheson said:

“The poll demonstrates a very substantial shift of opinion towards support
for the Justice Secretary’s decision to send Mr al-Megrahi back to Libya
to die.

“It was the right decision made for the right reasons, according to the
due process of Scots Law.

“It was a decision for the Justice Secretary alone, and the poll shows
strong support for it being made within the legal procedures we have in
Scotland, rather than anywhere else.

“As the Scottish people have listened to the arguments and had the
opportunity to see the evidence for themselves, support for Kenny
MacAskill’s decision has grown.

“The Opposition parties have blundered by trying to politicise what is a
justice issue, with Labour even losing the support of one of their own
MSPs, Malcolm Chisholm, while the Tories’ Ted Brocklebank defied the whips
by refusing to toe the party line. The considered response of the
Scottish public is in stark contrast with the knee jerk reaction of the
opposition.

“The poll also gives a much broader insight about people’s view of
Scotland’s international reputation, with Scots believing that Nelson
Mandela’s welcome comments on the compassionate release of al-Megrahi have
enhanced our reputation by a majority of two-to-one.”



Notes: Polling on the Megrahi decision

YouGov – Commissioned by the SNP
Sample 1556 adults, 1st and 2nd September

1) Do you think the Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill was right
or wrong to release Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al-Megrahi on compassionate
grounds?

Right 45%
Wrong 45%
Don’t Know 10%

2) Regardless of your views on whether it was right or wrong to release
Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al-Megrahi who do you think this kind of decision
should be made by?

The UK Govt in London 22%
The Scottish Govt in Edinburgh 60%
Someone else 11%
Don’t Know 7%

3) Do you believe Nelson Mandela’s comments in support for the release of
Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds has enhanced or
damaged Scotland’s reputation internationally

Enhanced 41%
Damaged 25%
Don’t Know 26%



4) Previous opinion polls

· Cello MRUK for Sunday Times

Sample: 1,040 adults
Fieldwork: "The newspaper said the poll was conducted in June this year
but could not be reported until now "for legal reasons"."

It found that:

49% "wanted Megrahi to remain in Scotland"
40% "should serve the rest of his sentence in Libya"
11% "should be freed"

· Ipsos MORI poll for Reuters

Fieldwork: 20-26 August 2009
Sample: 534

Reported as agreeing or disagreeing "with the decision to free Megrahi".

Strongly disagreed 37%
Tended to disagree 10%

DISAGREE 47%

Strongly agreed 19%
Tended to agree 21%

AGREE 40%



· YouGov / Scottish Daily Mail Survey Results

Sample Size: 1078 Scottish Adults
Fieldwork: 24th - 26th August 2009

From what you know do you think releasing Abdelbasset al-Megrahi was the
right or wrong decision to make?

The right decision 43%
The wrong decision 51%
Don’t know 6%