Lord Mandelson has stated any suggestion of a trade deal over the release of Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset Ali al-Megrahi is 'offensive'.
The Government have been under pressure since this morning after allegations of alleged trade deal behind his release of the after claims made by Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s son, Saif al-Islam.
But the business secretary, who has previously met with Saif al-Islam, dismissed allegations that al-Megrahi's release was the result of a business deal with Libya, as he was released from hospital following a prostate operation this afternoon.
Saif al-Islam, has claimed that negotiations over al-Megrahi’s release had always been tied up with the oil and gas business. However Mandelson, who has met with Saif al-Islam twice this year, said: “It’s not only completely wrong to make such a suggestion it’s also quite offensive.
“As I have already stated, on both occasions Mr Gaddafi raised the issue of the Libyan prisoner in Scotland’s release as all representatives of the Libyan government do.”
“They had the same response from me as they would have had from any other member of the Government.
“The issue of the prisoner’s release was entirely a matter for the Scottish Justice Minister.
“That is how it was left, that is how it was well understood.”
He said it was a devolved matter and saying there was “no agreement between the Libyan government and the British government”.
He added: “It has been a matter entirely for the Scottish Justice Minister to exercise his discretion.”
He also condemned the hero’s welcome given to al-Megrahi in Libya saying it was ‘insensitive’ to the loved-ones of those who'd died in the 1988 tragedy.
As he left St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, west London, the Business Secretary praised the NHS and thanked the staff who had treated him.
Mandelson, who is also First Secretary of State said: “I have been treated really well in the hospital.
“Everything is now flowing extremely well.
“Actually I have had a jolly time. I am very proud to be an NHS patient.”
Source:The times
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