Lockerbie bomber release linked to arms deal, according to secret letter.

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Telegraph

An email sent by the then British ambassador in Tripoli details how a prisoner transfer agreement would be signed once Libya “fulfils its promise” to buy an air defence system.

The disclosure is embarrassing for members of the then Labour government, which always insisted that Abdelbaset al-Megrahi’s release was not linked to commercial deals.

The email, which contained a briefing on the UK’s relations with Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s regime, was sent on June 8 2008 by Sir Vincent Fean, the then UK ambassador, to Tony Blair’s private office, ahead of a visit soon after he stepped down as prime minister.

Mr Blair flew to Tripoli to meet Gaddafi on June 10, in a private jet provided by the dictator, one of at least six visits Mr Blair made to Libya after quitting Downing Street.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10206659/Lockerbie-bomber-release-linked-to-arms-deal-according-to-secret-letter.html

[AzDar]

1. Jesus wept.

[warrant46]

2. Just when you think you have seen/heard it all

$$$$

[bemildred]

3. Priceless. nt

[Drunken Irishman]

4. Tony Blair is one corrupt man.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. Reading all the way down, it's not clear this was about the Lockerbie bomber

First, it notes that the Libyans never bought this air defence system. It is also about a prisoner transfer agreement that Blair's government agreed, but which excluded Megrahi. What the email said is:

“Col Q may very well raise Megrahi,” wrote Sir Vincent, “Saif (Gaddafi’s son) raised the case … last week. It is now before the Scottish Appeal Court and sub-judice.

“While the appeal is current, no request to invoke the PTA can be made in that case. Were the appeal to fail and a request for Megrahi’s return to Libya were to be made subsequently, it would be for Scottish ministers to decide on any such request — not a question for HMG (Her Majesty’s Government).”

I think the Telegraph is reading more into this than can honestly be done, especially with that headline.

[dipsydoodle]

7. I picked this up from What the Papers Say.

They seemed to put more emphasis on issues associated with Libyan sovereign wealth fund.

I used the headline as per LBN rules but the newpaper edition differs.

edit to add : Actual newsprint headline was Lockerbie, Labour and the Gaddafi arms deal http://www.thepaperboy.com/uk/front-pages.cfm

[Turbineguy]

6. How very

Reaganesque.

[MotherPetrie]

8. No words

[fujiyama]

9. How much worse can Blair's legacy get?

As if Iraq wasn't enough to have destroyed it.

[7962]

10. Many have been saying this from the start anyway

Last edited Sun Jul 28, 2013, 08:28 AM - Edit history (1)

Time for some Israeli-type operation to kill that bastard. Shouldnt be too hard.

*edit-- Didnt mean Blair,and now have been informed by Muriel that Al Megrahi is ALREADY dead, so my point is moot.

[muriel_volestrangler]

12. al-Megrahi is already dead. Are you suggesting the assassination of Blair? (nt)

[7962]

13. Oh no!! But when I wrote that I wondered if it may look like thats what I meant!

But no, not Blair. I wasnt aware that Megrahi was already dead. Its been so long since I'd seen anything about him I guess I missed that news.
Thanks for pointing that out to me. Guess I should edit that earlier comment.

[Psephos]

11. Despicable in every way. n/t