Brown 'Repulsed' by Libya

Gordon Brown finally broke his silence on the release of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi today, denying speculation that it had been part of a deal between the UK and Libya. “When I met Colonel Gaddafi over the summer I made it absolutely clear to him that I had no role in the decision,” he said, adding that he was “angry and repulsed” by the welcome Megrahi received in Libya.

Gaddafi’s son had let slip that Megrahi was often discussed in trade talks between Libya and Britain, setting off a storm of criticism from British opposition parties. “It was a matter in which we could not interfere,” said Brown. He wouldn’t say if he agreed with the decision to release Megrahi, saying it was up to Scottish courts. (More Gordon Brown stories.)