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WikiLeaks: Lockerbie bomber was released even though ministers expected him to live for years

Abdelbaset Al-Megrahi was released from jail on the grounds that he was dying from terminal cancer even though ministers expected him to live for years, according to confidential diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks

In the months before the Libyan was allowed to return home, Jack Straw, the then Justice Secretary, told US diplomats he could live up to five years .

But Mr Straw said Alex Salmond’s SNP administration in Scotland was minded to free Abdelbaset Al-Megrahi anyway because there was nothing “codified in law” about his expected lifespan.

Cables released by the website WikiLeaks show the Libyans offers Mr Salmond a “parade of treats” in return for the bomber being freed but these were refused....

Read entire article at Telegraph (UK)