If you are talking England, Wales and Northern Ireland I would say the general feeling is one of surprise and shock, but as I do not live there it is hard to gauge.
In Scotland, I would say the intelligentsia are split down the middle, but no-one I have spoken to in person has anything other than disgust at the decision.
The rubbish about compassion has fooled the usual naive people but I would say most don’t understand why the SNP would go out of their way to make a decision that harms them as much as Scotland.
This hasn’t been done for a single reason. This is a multi-faceted decision and I think there are three main (but not exclusive) reasons I think why this decision has been allowed:
1. The SNP are an other-worldly idealistic bunch. Being in charge of Scotland domestically but having no control over foreign affairs or defence has created a mindset that sees the world in terms of unbending principles. They are like adolescents who appease, not because they are bad people but because they believe being nice to your enemy works. If they were an independent government those tough choices would mature them.
2. The UK government, although an enemy of the SNP gave a nod and a wink (along with the US government who if privately had told the SNP it would be an act of an unfriendly executive would have backed down I am sure) so they could keep Libya out of Nuclear and Terrorist activities and gain trade deals.
3. This is the most important. Many within the Scottish Justice system really believe Megrahi was innocent and the guilty verdict very unsafe. As Megrahi was on appeal, they were terrified that it would show how unsafe the verdict was and this would destroy confidence in Scottish Justice.
Now let me be clear on this. For all their faults, they do not believe Megrahi was innocent as some sort of whacko anti-Americanism. In fact many believe it was the Syrians and Iranians who did it for revenge over the downed Iran Air Flight 655 and that the UK and US know this (hence the muted response).
So they pressured him to drop his appeal and the deal was that they would let him go as he was dying anyway.
This last part is speculation, but I have heard this from so many people and informed journalists over the years that I tend to think there is some truth in it. As I said last week, do you really think if Obama had phoned the SNP (who think he is the messiah) and really had a go at them that Megrahi would have been released?
In regard to your second point. There was a thread earlier today that mentioned that the SNP had discussions with our Sec. of State prior to his release.
I wish for the sake of those who died the whole truth will some day be revealed.
The SNP are more than just a naive, idealistic bunch. They have roots which are fascistic and even somewhat pro-Nazi. Paradoxically, they used to admire the Kennedys, while being anti-Jewish and anti-Black. Over the years, they somehow managed to get the public to overlook their fringe connections.
There is really no good reason for the British Isles to be broken up into separate countries. In my opinion, that is a big mistake. Even separating Ireland from Britain was harmful, especially for the Irish. There are few things more foolish than Irish nationalism.