MEGRAHI FROM ALJAZEERA

Did BP have a role in the release of the Lockerbie bomber? That is what US senators want to know as they press for an investigation on the issue.

Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, a Libyan national, was the only man convicted in the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am Flight over Lockerbie, Scotland.

The bombing killed 270 people - most of them US citizens. In 2001, al-Megrahi was sentenced to 27 years in prison.

But the Scottish government released him last year on 'strict justice criteria' - saying he has terminal cancer with just three months to live.

Shortly after Megrahi's return to Tripoli, the Libyan government awarded BP a multi-billion dollar offshore oil deal.

The timing of the deal, and the fact that 11 months after the release Meghrahi is still alive has led to speculation as to whether BP had anything to do with the release.

The oil giant denies lobbying for al-Megrahi's release - saying it only encouraged the British government to complete a prisoner-transfer deal with Libya.

So, what are the likely implications of the alleged BP role in al-Megrahi's controversial release?

Inside Story, with presenter Sohail Rahman, discusses with Bill Kidd, a member of the Scottish Parliament for the Scottish National Party, Hans Koechler, who was an International Observer at the Lockerbie trial, and Dave Cole, the managing director of the Atlantic Council.

This episode of Inside Story airs from Thursday, July 22, at 1730GMT, with repeats at 2230GMT, and the next day at 0430GMT and 1030GMT.

CHOICES

Who 's image will be carved into salisbury crag?

BBC Scotland and the Dunblane innocent.

For me the MSM in particular BBC Scotland, and their view of Scotland has reached a new sickening low. On BBC Scotland news yesterday they led with the new Labour press release that the SNP are accused of being hypocrites because of the answer that Salmond gave to Adam Boulton on the debate regarding the Dunblane massacre. He did not know that question was coming, and I think he was thrown by it, as it has to be the most distasteful question yet put in this campaign. I have no doubt at all that the question was planted by new Labour.

BBC Scotland has now declared blatant open warfare on the SNP. They have now demonstrated, like new Labour that nothing is sacred even the evil slaughter of beautiful innocent children.

I worked in the media at the time and was in Dunblane for several days. I had no connection family wise, but spoke to those who did. The service in the Cathedral will stay in my memory till the day that I die. I cannot hear the word Dunblane without an overwhelming sadness coming over me. God knows what hearing the memory of their children being besmirched in this way, in the same breath as a convicted terrorist has done to those families and friends.

I would much rather has Salmond refused to answer the question and condemned Boulton and Sky for it.

I hope the person who decided to generate the question feels shame and remorse, although I doubt it. Politicians and the unionist MSM have plumbed a new low for me.

When we secede from the UK as please God we will, I pray that the first act of the new independent government will be to close down BBC Scotland and sack every last one of their pygmy unionist managers.

OOR ECK KICKING ERSE