Reaction: Lockerbie bomber 'release'

Megrahi was ordered to serve a minimum of 27 years in jail

The news that the Libyan man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing is likely to be freed on compassionate grounds next week, has provoked a strongly divided reaction.

The BBC understands that Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, who is serving life for murdering 270 people when Pan Am flight 103 exploded in 1988, may be freed because he has terminal prostate cancer.

Families of many of the British victims were concerned about the conviction, whereas US relatives were convinced of his guilt. Here are some of their responses:

Susan Cohen, from New Jersey, lost her only child, 20-year-old Theodora, who was one of 35 Syracuse University students on Pan Am flight 103.

"Any letting out of Megrahi would be a disgrace. It makes me sick, and if there is a compassionate release then I think that is vile.

"It just shows that the power of oil money counts for more than justice. There have been so many attempts to let him off.

"It has to do with money and power and giving [Libyan ruler Colonel Muammar] Gaddafi what he wants. My feelings, as a victim, apparently count for nothing."

American Mrs Bernstein lost her husband Michael in the attack. She said freeing Megrahi would send a message that terrorism is not being taken seriously.

"I think it would play right into Colonel Gaddafi's hands. It shows that if you bide your time and if you wait long enough you can be rewarded, and this is what Colonel Gaddafi has done.

"Megrahi and the Libyan government showed absolutely no compassion for my husband and the others who were murdered. This is the worst terrorist attack, as I understand it, in the UK ever.

"If this man is to be released I think it sends a message that we don't take this seriously."

Dr Swire, who is from the Midlands, lost his 23-year-old daughter Flora, who was on board the flight. He said it would be to Scotland's credit if the Libyan were released.

"I am someone who does not believe he is guilty. The sooner he is back with his family the better.

"On reasonable human grounds it is the right thing to do and if it's true that he is to be returned on compassionate grounds then that would be more to Scotland's credit than returning him under the prisoner transfer agreement.

"It would mean that he can go to his family who he adores and live the last of his days on this planet with them."

Mr Cadman, whose British son Bill, aged 32, was killed in the disaster, said compassionate release would be the right thing to do even if al-Megrahi is guilty.

"I hope it is true as it's something we've been wanting for a long time.

"I think he is innocent and even if he were not innocent I still think it's certainly the right thing to do on compassionate grounds."

Mrs Dix's brother Peter was another Briton killed in the attack. She believes the case is still unresolved.

"The appeal should continue to its logical conclusion. We're still in the position where Mr Megrahi protests his innocence.

"We're not aware of what activities he may have been carrying out in December 1988 if he is not responsible for the bombing.

"And even if he is, he is only a very small cog in the whole chain. We still are not aware of why the bombing was carried out, who else did it as co-conspirators and why.

"It is enshrined in the Scottish judicial process that people are entitled to make such applications, and such applications are granted.

"Really, the most important thing for is not the welfare of this one individual, but to get to the bottom of whether he is truly innocent or truly guilty."

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