Gordon Brown vetoed Libyan payout to IRA victims

[afleitch]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6823348.ece


GORDON BROWN personally vetoed an attempt to force Colonel Muammar Gadaffi to compensate IRA bomb victims because it might have jeopardised British oil deals with Libya.

Documents passed to The Sunday Times reveal how the prime minister took a close interest in a campaign to secure payouts for the 2,500 families of those blown up by the Libyan-supplied Semtex explosive used by republican bombers.

However, Brown refused to help the victims because of government concerns that putting pressure on Gadaffi might lead to Libya withdrawing co-operation over trade and the war against Islamic terrorism.

The documents will cause embarrassment for Brown as he faces new questions over the early release of the convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi

[GMantis]

Is Gordon Brown trying to see how disastrous Labour can lose?

[afleitch]

Is Gordon Brown trying to see how disastrous Labour can lose?

It get's worse;

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/6143073/Revealed-Libya-paid-for-medical-advice-that-helped-Lockerbie-bombers-release.html

Medical evidence that helped Megrahi, 57, to be released was paid for by the Libyan government, which encouraged three doctors to say he had only three months to live.

The life expectancy of Megrahi was crucial because, under Scottish rules, prisoners can be freed on compassionate grounds only if they are considered to have this amount of time, or less, to live.

[The Man From G.O.P.]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8239572.stm

...


I love to e a doomsayer for Labour, but surely this is IT for Brown, hell, how long can it be before he's gone or an election is called.

I think the Conservatives and LD's need to make moves to vote no confidence in the gov't. I really think the Lib dems could be the opposition in a few months time.

[afleitch]

There have been rumours of yet another 'topple Brown' movement which probably won't amount to much. I just can't wait for a GE...but we won't get it till the last possible moment I fear.

[The Man From G.O.P.]

There have been rumours of yet another 'topple Brown' movement which probably won't amount to much. I just can't wait for a GE...but we won't get it till the last possible moment I fear.

So what might be the consequences in Scotland now that the obvious truth has be proven, that the Gov't had a big hand in the decision to release him, and the deal included oil, and that the SNP ultimately decided to carry it out for them?

Who benefits?

And most importantly, where are my Labour friends on the forum to restate the fact that this was all done by the SNP and that the gov't had nothing to do with it and it didn't include trade issues.

[afleitch]

There have been rumours of yet another 'topple Brown' movement which probably won't amount to much. I just can't wait for a GE...but we won't get it till the last possible moment I fear.

So what might be the consequences in Scotland now that the obvious truth has be proven, that the Gov't had a big hand in the decision to release him, and the deal included oil, and that the SNP ultimately decided to carry it out for them?

Who benefits?

And most importantly, where are my Labour friends on the forum to restate the fact that this was all done by the SNP and that the gov't had nothing to do with it and it didn't include trade issues.

Tough one. I think everyone believes that pressure was on the Scottish Government; may not be true but it softens it for the SNP. I just don't see the 'venom' towards them in Scotland. I still feel the SNP will win again in 2011 and probably aquire a 5-10 seat lead over Labour. By then Lockerbie won't be an issue.

The more and more Labour take a hit, the less chance the Tories or the Lib Dems will entertain trying to bring the SNP minority administration down to let Labour in the back door.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Headline doesn't really match what's being alleged, what's being alleged is morally dubious but not exactly surprising or sensational.

There have been rumours of yet another 'topple Brown' movement which probably won't amount to much.

Note that Martin Kettle wrote a column about it. This means that nothing will happen. Kettle is second only to Rees-Mogg when it comes to awful predictions. His music criticism has gone downhill as well.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

So what might be the consequences in Scotland now that the obvious truth has be proven, that the Gov't had a big hand in the decision to release him, and the deal included oil, and that the SNP ultimately decided to carry it out for them?

You seem to have a curious definition of both "obvious truth" and "proven".

You must be logged in to read this quote.

That's not exactly my position, but I'm over here

[Silent Hunter]

I can't say I've ever heard of this campaign to get Gadaffi to pay out. I'm sure some relatives would be insulted by a payment from him.

By the way, just because someone gets paid for some medical advice doesn't automatically mean that they've skewed it.

[You kip if you want to...]

Is Gordon Brown trying to see how disastrous Labour can lose?

Apparently. Wow, I can't wait for a new leader once he loses.

[Silent Hunter]

Brown makes a "U-turn"

[Democratic Hawk]

Is Gordon Brown trying to see how disastrous Labour can lose?

Seemingly