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SNP concern at memorandum of understanding with Libya |
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Friday, 08 June 2007 |
First Minister Alex Salmond has said that the lack of consultation with the Scottish Executive ahead of the United Kingdom Government signing a memorandum of understanding with Libya is “clearly unacceptable”.
The memorandum of understanding, which deals with judicial co-operation
on matters of law and extradition and on the issue of prisoner transfer
between the two countries, could impact on the case of Abdelbaset Ali
Mohamed al-Megrahi, the Libyan who was convicted in a Scottish court of
the Lockerbie bombing.
Salmond has written to the Prime Minister expressing his concern, added
that “the Scottish Government is determined that decisions on any
individual case will continue to be made following the due process of
Scots law. The integrity of that process is paramount.”
Labour leader Jack McConnell said that he was “happy to support the
First Minister's representations in general, adding that “I hope that
the United Kingdom Government listens carefully to what he has said”.
In a later radio interview, McConnell added that attempts to transfer
Megrahi had been made while he was First Minister.
Liberal Democrat leader Nicol Stephen said that, while it was one thing
for Tony Blair to fail to phone to mark Salmond’s appointment as a
matter of courtesy, “to fail to communicate or engage on a matter in
which both Governments have a direct interest and for which they have
direct responsibility is far more serious, especially on this issue.”
Scottish Conservative leader, Annabel Goldie has called for an urgent
review of the relationship, concordats and agreements between the
Westminster and Holyrood governments in light of the Megrahi affair.
She said: "The events of the last 24 hours have been truly astonishing.
Revelations this morning that the former First Minister, Jack
McConnell, blocked previous attempts to return Mr. Megrahi to Libya
only raise further questions, as do Downing Street's claims that the
deal in the desert excludes the mass murderer.
"The one lesson which is leaping out of this shoddy affair is that
relationships between Holyrood and Westminster need urgent review. The
total lack of a relationship between Scotland's two parliaments,
evident since May 3rd and highlighted this week is a recipe for
constitutional disaster."
"This Government will also be closely monitoring how this works in
practice and we will not hesitate to reintroduce the ban if necessary."
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Last Updated ( Friday, 08 June 2007 )
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