UK PM more concerned with celebration than fact of murderer's release

Observer/Guardian:

Gordon Brown faced fresh questions tonight after it emerged that he discussed with Colonel Gaddafi detailed conditions for the Lockerbie bomber's return nearly six weeks ago, while senior Labour figures warned of an economic backlash from angry Americans "costing our country dear".

Downing Street released the text of a cordial letter sent to the Libyan leader on the day Abdulbaset al-Megrahi was released, asking that the event be kept low key as a "high-profile" ceremony would distress his victims and their families.

But critically the letter also refers to a meeting between the two leaders six weeks earlier at the G8 summit in Italy, adding that "when we met [there] I stressed that, should the Scottish Executive decide that Megrahi can return to Libya, this should be a purely private family occasion" rather than a public celebration.

Previously officials have said the two men's conversation in Italy at the beginning of July was brief and that, while the Lockerbie case was raised, Brown merely stressed the matter was for the Scottish government to decide.

However, the new letter, addressed to "dear Muammar" and signed off by wishing him a happy Ramadan, suggests that the decision was well enough advanced and Brown well enough briefed to set terms for a homecoming – albeit unsuccessfully. A jubilant Libyan crowd, some waving Scottish flags, greeted Megrahi at the airport.

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This deal smells. I get the feeling that the Brown government was all for this deal and has merely tried to shift responsibility to the Scots who clutched it to their bosom. Both come across as craven losers.

Releasing this terrorist was a betrayal of justice that will not be soon forgotten.