Salmond defends Megrahi's release

Mar 4 2010

The First Minister has said that the decision to release the Lockerbie bomber was based entirely on "Scottish judicial principles".

Alex Salmond was challenged by Labour MSP Richard Simpson to apologise to the Lockerbie victims in light of the fact that terminally-ill Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi was "alive and well".

Dr Simpson also said Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill appeared to show "no hint of regret" about his handling of the affair when he gave evidence to the Scottish Affairs Committee in Westminster two months ago.