Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill today spoke with United States Attorney General Eric Holder as part of the ongoing consideration of the application for the prisoner transfer for Mr Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi.
As part of the process of consideration of the application, Mr MacAskill has already made clear that he would meet groups and individuals who have submitted relevant representations to the Scottish Government and listen to their views.
In addition to today's discussions with Mr Holder, Mr MacAskill will also be listening to the views of representatives of family members of victims from the UK and US as well as the Libyan Government.
Mr MacAskill said:
"As part of my thorough consideration of the Prisoner Transfer Agreement submitted by the Libyan Government on behalf of Mr Al Megrahi, I want to ensure I have all the relevant information available to me before reaching decisions.
"Hearing these representations is a key part of that process.
"As I have said before, any decision will be made on judicial grounds alone. Economic and political considerations have no place in the process."
The Prisoner Transfer Agreement was signed on November 17 2008 and following scrutiny by the Joint Committee of Human Rights at Westminster, was ratified by the UK and Libyan Governments.
Scottish Ministers are now bound by this Agreement and required to consider transfer applications made under it.
The Scottish Government received an application from the Libyan Government in respect of Mr Al Megrahi on May 5, 2009.
The application is now being determined on its merits in line with the Agreement and relevant legislation by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice who will take all relevant considerations into account.
The Prisoner Transfer Agreement states that the decision should normally be given within 90 days of being received although it could be longer if further information is required in relation to the application or for any other reason.
[This is the text of a news release issued today by the Scottish Government. The Sun's report on the topic can be read here, and The Scotsman's here.]
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