Ali al-Megrahi and the Gullibility of Scottish Statesmanship

The release of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi might well become known as:
'The Scottish National Party Gullibility Conspiracy'

Consider this scenario:

The Times commented today that Scotland has spoken for itself and that Mr MacAskill "was at great pains to establish his authority"

It was clear that he was unhappy about the lack of elaboration about the details of the supposed 'agreement' to keep al-Megrahi locked up in Britain. His indignation was self evident. He was aghast at the lack of co-operation from the British government. The British government was unhelpful at best and inept at worst. BUT...

What if he was 'set-up'? What a great way to torpedo the Scottish Nationalists! Give them enough international rope to hang themselves on the global stage. What if Westminster thought...if they want to play in the big boy's playground let's let them have taste of what happens.

Whilst the intention of the Scottish Justice Minister was noble indeed, he and his fellows have displayed a degree of gullibility in the field of international statesmanship.

What 'authority' does the SNP have now I wonder? They have stood on their own two feet and they have released a mass murderer on the basis of attempted philosophical one upmanship.

They seem to forget that al-Megrahi has been treated 'compassionately' enough already. He was tried fairly, he was sentenced fairly and imprisoned fairly. In other countries he might have been summarily executed or locked up in a 'hell hole'

The reputation of the SNP and the cause of an independent Scotland has been undermined because it hadn't the will and foresight to keep a wasting and dying nobody from becoming a martyr.

Some have said 'Why has Great Britain released this murderer. Let's be completely clear about this. It was not Great Britain who did this it was Scottish ministers acting as they aspired to - independently. And they should take the criticism independently too.

Should do wonders for their tourist industry!

48 hours on we can see just how Scottish judgement is viewed on the international stage as FBI director Robert Mueller launches severe critcism and says:

""Your action in releasing Megrahi is as inexplicable as it is detrimental to the cause of justice. Indeed your action makes a mockery of the rule of law.

"Your action gives comfort to terrorists around the world who now believe that regardless of the quality of the investigation, the conviction by jury after the defendant is given all due process, and sentence appropriate to the crime, the terrorist will be freed by one man's exercise of 'compassion'."

Not alot of room for misunderstanding there then.

Lockerbie minister facing critics

If you are Scottish and your toes are curling (pardon the pun)at the release of al=Megrahi then you might like to distance yourself from the decision by wearing this:

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