Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt said there were
"apprehensions" in "some quarters" that hopes of re-opening
existing settlements were fuelling inquiries.
He told the Commons foreign affairs committee the UK was
continuing to "make the case" for Scottish police to have access to
the state but there are concerns that must be "got over".
Mr Burt intends to revisit to Libya soon and insisted the
"legacy issues" remained a "matter of high priority" for
the UK.
They also include the case of WPc Fletcher, who was shot dead
while policing a protest outside the Libyan embassy in London in 1984.
"There's some concern in some quarters, not in relation to
WPc Fletcher but in relation to other cases that there is a matter of
re-opening compensation and we are busy seeking to dissuade people that isn't
the case."
Confirming he was talking about the Lockerbie bombing, Mr Burt
added: "I don't believe there are institutional barriers to that but there
are other apprehensions to get over.
"We continue to make the case that the Dumfries and
Galloway police must have access and must be able to get on with that
investigation."
He added: "There is an apprehension in some parts of the
Libyan structure that this is about re-opening compensation that they believe
was dealt with in the past where as we are keen to make the case supporting
those who are conducting the investigation that it is about finding out the
truth of the matter."
In February a formal submission was sent to the Libyan
Government requesting access to the country for police and prosecutors who want
to examine information and documents relating to lines of inquiry.
The Libyan National Transitional Council has previously
confirmed to the UK Government that it will assist the ongoing criminal
investigation. (…)
"The capacity of the Libyan authorities at the moment is
understandably limited because of the circumstances in which they are
operating."
He added: "Their
commitment has been genuine. They do know from us how important these issues
are.”
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