Pride and Compassion

Nearly twenty-one years after the atrocity that will forever be associated with the Scottish border town of Lockerbie, old wounds have be re-opened with the release from Greenock prison of the sole person convicted of planting the bomb which blew apart Pan-Am Flight 103 just before Christmas 1988 - Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi. His release after serving just eight years has inevitably caused a huge reaction around the world. There has always been nagging doubts about his release. But, under Scots law, he was properly investigated, lawfully convicted and duly sentenced.

270 people perished that fateful night in the Scottish borders. One can only try to imagine what their families and friends went through - and are still going through. Losing a loved one is traumatic enough; to do so in such an unexpected and highly public manner is unthinkable for most of us. I can understand the anger of the relatives of those who died at Mr Megrahi's release. His release on compassionate grounds - it's been said he only has months to live as a result of terminal cancer - sticks in the throat of those who say no compassion has been shown to those who died that night. Not for them, the chance to say their goodbyes to the people they loved.

But whether one agrees with the decision or not, there is one thing that makes me proud of my country. Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has taken a decision he knew would be unpopular in the UK and more particularly, the USA. But he has refused to bow to American pressure; refused to be bullied by the powers that be in the States. The decision to release Mr Megrahi was made in Scotland. Our country. Scotland's decision. No one else's. The USA may think it has the right to police any country it chooses and its condemnation of the decision smacks of 'what the hell do you think you're doing?' But Scotland is no longer cow-towing to a London government which itself doffs its cap to America more times than is necessary. President Obama and the American people may disagree with the decision but they should respect it.

Yes,the homecoming that greeted Mr Megrahi when he arrived back in Libya was unnecessary. He is a convicted criminal after all, responsible for the deaths of 270 people. At the same time, there is a school of thought, particularly in Libya, that he was nothing more than a scapegoat. The full story of that night in 1988 is unlikely ever to be told.

Meanwhile, Scotland has bared its teeth to the world. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his predecessor Tony Blair have sucked up to the USA for far too long. When Scotland hopefully gains its independence many people will remember this decision.

And will respect a nation for its courage in standing up to the so-called super powers...