UK REVIEW REVEALS LABOUR HYPOCRISY

For immediate use: Monday 7 February 2011




Attn: NEWSDESKS


POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS



LABOUR SUPPORTED MEGRAHI RELEASE IN PRIVATE




Responding to a statement today (Monday) by the Prime Minister on the case of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson MP said the documents revealed the “total rank hypocrisy” of the Labour party who, as of autumn 2008 supported Mr al-Megrahi being released to Libya, and were saying one thing in public and the complete opposite in private.



Speaking after an exchange with the Prime Minister, Mr Robertson said:



“The only revelation here is the total rank hypocrisy of the last Labour government who privately changed their position to favour the release of al Megrahi, while claiming that they had no position in public.



“While Westminster government policy changed to support release, it is clear that Scottish Ministers followed the due process of Scots Law and practice throughout the entire period, without regard to foreign policy, economic or any other considerations.



“The record shows clearly and consistently that the Scottish Government maintained its opposition to the PTA itself and to al Megrahi’s non-exclusion from it, and criticised his non-exclusion in extensive correspondence in 2007 and 2008 with Jack Straw and the Prime Minister, from both the Justice Secretary and the First Minister.



“David Cameron appears not to understand the reality of Scottish self-government – which shows more Tory disrespect for Scotland. Regardless of people's opinion, the decision was Scotland's to take on the basis of the due process of Scots Law – which was done to the letter. Any attempt by Tories at Westminster to interfere with Scotland's justice system would be vigorously resisted north of the Border, by people of all political persuasions and none.”




ENDS








Note – a transcript of Mr Robertson’s exchange with the Prime Minister


is detailed below:






Angus Robertson: The Prime Minister does not share the same view on


compassionate release as the Scottish Government or indeed


international observers like Nelson Mandela. What is new however is


that these official UK documents prove that as of autumn 2008 UK


Labour Ministers supported Mr al-Megrahi being released to Libya, and


were saying one thing in public and the complete opposite in private.


Is that not total rank hypocrisy?






David Cameron: I’ve made my view clear and I have tried to state it in


a calm and reasonable was, because I don’t believe that there was some


conspiracy theory between the SNP Government and a Labour Government.


I think they find it hard enough to communicate with each other at the


best of times. But I would say, I think Ministers will look back and


say what could I have said more to give a complete picture.