Lockerbie bomber's release suggests nexus between Gaddafi and Brown

London, Aug. 23 (ANI): The release of Lockerbie bomber, Abdel Baset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi last week by Scottish authorities, suggests a nexus or an understanding between Libyan dictator Colonel Muamar Gaddafi and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

According to the Sunday Express, Brown's role in al Megrahi's release came under mounting scrutiny Saturday after Gaddafi claimed he had "encouraged" the move.

Gaddafi said Brown had played a pivotal role in securing the freedom of Al Megrahi, who returned to jubilant scenes in Libya on Thursday.

His remarks, made during a television broadcast with the bomber yesterday, heaped fresh embarrassment on Britain and Brown.

The broadcast seemed to be a direct snub to the British Prime Minister, who last week wrote a personal letter, on first name terms, to Muammar Gaddafi pleading for him to avoid a "high-profile return".

The colonel's boasts fuelled speculation that the release was part of a potential multibillion-pound trade deal.

They came as Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague demanded answers to a series of questions about the roles of Brown and Lord Mandelson.

Robert Mueller, the director of the FBI, also waded in, saying in a letter to Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill that his decision "made a mockery of justice".

Libyan TV pictures showed Col Gaddafi hugging the 57-year-old convicted bomber, then thanking "my friend [Mr.] Brown", as well as "the Queen of Britain, Elizabeth, and Prince Andrew, who all contributed to encouraging the Scottish government to take this historic and courageous decision, despite the obstacles".

Number 10 said "the decision to release Megrahi was always the decision for the Scottish government." (ANI)