“BP lobbied and the UK government jumped"

[Alex Salmond’s book The Dream Shall Never Die: 100 Days That Changed Scotland Forever has not been kindly reviewed in what in Scotland is increasingly referred to as “the mainstream media” (overwhemingly -- and, in many cases, virulently -- unionist). An even-handed, if far from hagiographic, review is to be found on the website of The Conversation. Here are two paragraphs:]

Salmond gives his version of the story of how BP intervened in the release of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Al-Megrahi, the Scottish government’s most controversial decision during Salmond’s period as first minister.

Salmond confirms the indications in the UK cabinet office review in 2011 that BP’s intervention to protect oil contracts led to the UK government being unwilling to exclude Megrahi from the prisoner transfer agreement between the two countries. “BP lobbied and the UK government jumped,” writes Salmond.