An internet trawl of the UK, Scottish and foreign press discloses not a single report on the proceedings at the second day of the Lockerbie appeal. This is disappointing but not really a surprise, given the experience at the original trial at Camp Zeist. Then, the press turned up in droves for the opening day, for "star" witnesses, like Edwin Bollier, Tony Gauci and Majid Giaka, and for the announcement of the verdict, but otherwise were conspicuous by their absence. The coverage, particularly in the Scottish media, was shockingly poor. The same was true of the first appeal in 2002, but there at least there was live television coverage through the BBC News website.
What media reports there are today relate to the ratification of the prisoner transfer agreement. Lucy Adams's article in The Herald can be read here.
The report in The Times does, however, include one paragraph on day two's proceedings. It reads:
'Yesterday the appeal court was told that there was “a massive gap” in the case against al-Megrahi concerning the means by which the suitcase containing the explosive device was put on board the New York-bound Pan Am Boeing 747 aircraft at Luqa airport, in Malta. Ms Scott told the court: “There was no evidence of where any of the putting together of the device occurred and there is a massive gap in respect of the ingestion of the suitcase.”'
The following are further excerpts from this report:
'The man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing must decide whether to apply to serve the rest of his sentence at home in Libya, surrounded by his family, or remaining in a Scottish jail and attempt to clear his name.
'The choice comes after Britain ratified a long-awaited prisoner transfer agreement with Libya yesterday. In order to pursue a move to a Libyan jail, Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi, 57, who has continually protested his innocence and is dying of cancer, would have to abandon his appeal, which began on Tuesday at the Court of Criminal Appeal, in Edinburgh. (...)
'Last night al-Megrahi's legal team refused to be drawn on whether or not he will apply for a transfer. Should he do so, the decision will ultimately be made by Kenny MacAskill, the Scottish Justice Secretary.
'Although the transfer deal, negotiated between Tony Blair, then Prime Minister, and Colonel Muammar Gaddafi during a meeting in 2007, caused a furious cross-border row when Alex Salmond, the First Minister, insisted that Scotland should have been consulted, the fate of prisoners in Scottish jails remains a devolved matter. A spokeswoman for Mr MacAskill said: “It would be for Scottish ministers to decide on any application for prison transfer in relation to any prisoners in Scotland.
'“We do not discuss hypothetical applications and will not prejudge or anticipate any decision. Scottish ministers judge each application on its own merits,” she added.
'Despite declining to comment on the case, there has been speculation that the Scottish government would look favourably on a transfer application from al-Megrahi's legal team.
'According to a recent newspaper report, Robert Gordon, director general of the SNP Administration's justice department, who held discussions recently with Libyan officials about the prisoner deal, encouraged them to seek a transfer.'
This lamentable situation will get worse....yesterday it was announced that the newsrooms in the Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday are to merge. (As is also heppening in the Herald and Sunday Herald.
ReplyDeleteBoth when Lockerbie happened adn at the trial and the second appeal the media presecence was MASSIVE.
Print and televisual media in the majority with a few radio and periodical journalists as well.
The impact of electronic media and dramatic restructuring in sectors of the media is having a negative impact for the first time.
TWO factors have seriously restricted the volume of media interest in this case and the current court activities: Mexican swine flu that is sweeping all news schedules clean and the cost of maintaining reporters day after day afyer day where, particularily in appeals where case after case after case of precedence.
Yesterday Maggie Smith QC spent four hours of precedences that(according to onerelative who sat through all of it) was very difficult to hear orfully understand....not really 'hard' news.
Professor Black's site has been one of the most accurate and important sources of accurate information in this case...
Yje ONLY guarantee of fair trial is the fact that the fourth estate are supposed to cover proceedings and, thereafter accurately report on what has occurred in court each day....don't hold your breath on this happening in this case.
Theconstant 'drip, drip,drip of speculative stories' prior to the hearings commencing have not helped either as mosy News Editors are now in first degree stages of 'Lockerbie fatigue'.
Correction: should have read FIRST appeal.
ReplyDeleteI must say: I deeply admire Mr. Megrahi for his rejection of a dirty deal with the British government
ReplyDelete(and the Scottish). As one who has suffered from various cancer attacks I would fully understand if Mr. Megrahi had given in to be next to his family. And I would still understand if he so decides.
So far, his bold decision to take up the fight means that his defendence team should feel their obligation to do the utmost to clear his role in this case.
I am still waiting for that.
I
The truth is the winner. Abdelbaset al Megrahi will gets its freedom back without the prisoner transfer contract.
ReplyDeleteMr. Megrahi said: "This is the real way to clear my name before I go back to my homeland Libya." Mr. Al-Megrahi has consistently maintained his innocence and has vowed to stay in Scotland and win his freedom through the appeal courts.
MEBO has already disposed of all the needed exonerating evidence to the Defence Team and the High Court.
More details on: www.lockerbie.chby Edwin Bollier, MEBO Ltd, Switzerland