03/09/2009

MSP backs release of criminal cases review report

The Scottish Government is being urged to back the release of an 800 page report produced by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission that examined evidence used to convict Abdelbaset Al Megrahi and which concluded there may have been a miscarriage of justice. SNP MSP Christine Grahame, who met with Mr Megrahi on several occasions, said it was imperative that evidence that was planned to be used in Mr Megrahi’s appeal was placed in the public domain. Ms Grahame said:

“The SCCRC report is an important element that places serious doubt over Mr Megrahi's conviction. I welcome the statement by the First Minister today (Thursday) that discussions are still ongoing with officials in order to make this crucial document available. The report re-examined evidence used at the original trial and also identified new evidence casting further doubt over Mr Megrahi's conviction.

“I hope also that Mr Tony Kelly, Mr Megrahi’s solicitor, will also be in a position in the coming weeks to confirm that Mr Megrahi will  make additional material his defence separately uncovered. I hope that material will similarly be placed in the public domain. I am confident, given Mr Megrahi’s continued ongoing claim of innocence in this atrocity, that he will support such a move and would urge him to back such a move.

“There is a great deal of information yet to be made available related to this case. I hope that once that material is made available those publicly opposed to Mr Megrahi’s release will appreciate that the decision to send him home was indeed the correct one.”

SNP It’s time.....