“A bizarre turn of events. What is the real story?”
Here is my take on events, copied and pasted from a few days ago:
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?
Except the heroes welcome Libyans gave him petty much negated any gains in good will towards Libya.. It will likely result in demonstrations against Gaddafi when he visits the UN latter this summer. Libya went from almost out of the toilet, to right back in, and they dragged Scotland's reputation right down with them.