Scottish Parliament to Review Bomber Release

Scotland's parliament has called an emergency meeting on Monday to question the decision to give compassionate release to the Lockerbie bomber.

The parliament wants to grill Justice Secretary Kenny McAskill about his decision to release Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, the only person convicted in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 that killed 270 people.

Opposition parties are planning a confidence vote on the decision, with a complete government shakeup possible.
There was intense criticism of Megrahi's release recently. U.S. President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and the head of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation all expressed outrage. There were also threats by US citizens to boycott Scottish goods and services.

Megrahi returned to Libya on Thursday to a hero's welcome. He is said to be planning to write a "tell-all book" disclosing new information about Britain's deadliest terrorist attack.

First Minister Alex Salmond, who leads the minority government, has said he understands the strongly held views of the American families of those killed. But, he said a number of families, particularly in Britain, have a different opinion and support the Scottish government's decision.

Former Scottish first minister Jack McConnell criticized Megrahi's release, saying it was a grave error of judgment and had damaged Scotland's international reputation.

Scotland is a part of Britain but has its own legal system and other powers.

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