Jack Straw is to face questions about his role in the run-up to the release of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi.
MPs on the [Westminster Parliament] Justice Committee will press the [UK] justice secretary on why he decided not to exclude Megrahi from a prisoner transfer agreement signed with Libya. (...)
Although Megrahi was released on compassionate grounds there have been many questions over the prisoner transfer agreement signed with Libya, which would also have allowed him to return home.
Sceptics like Liberal Democrat Alistair Carmichael have suggested pressure was put on the Scottish government to see Megrahi returned to Tripoli under the transfer scheme, which was originally signed by Tony Blair.
Mr Carmichael said: "I have absolutely no doubt that the pressure was there and I've absolutely no doubt that the pressure was intended to be there.
"It so happened that as things then developed the pressure may not have had the affect that those who originally applied would have intended, but the pressure was there."
After a political outcry, Mr Straw originally intended to exclude Megrahi from the transfer agreement, but later changed his mind.
In documents published in the aftermath of the Libyan's release, Mr Straw told the Scottish government it was in the UK's overwhelming interests not to exclude Megrahi.
Mr Straw said strong relations with Libya were important and that it would not be sensible to risk damaging them.
Both the Holyrood and Westminster administrations deny any pressure was applied on Mr MacAskill over the decision.
MPs will now have the opportunity to question Mr Straw about his role and whether ministers wanted Megrahi released to improve trade deals.
[From a report -- now deleted -- on the BBC News website.]
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