Second Lockerbie trial a ‘realistic possibility’ says Lord Advocate

The Lord Advocate has said a second Lockerbie trial is a “realistic possibility”.

Frank Mulholland QC, who announced he would be leaving the post following the Holyrood elections, said in an interview with STV News that if extradition proceedings against two suspects are successful there could be a fresh trial.

Mr Mulholland said: “Before I embarked on this work I was told that there was no possibility, absolutely none, of the Libyans cooperating with law enforcement in Scotland or the United States.

“In 2011, I attended a ceremony in Arlington where the Libyan ambassador to the US made a public commitment on behalf of the Libyan government to help. They have kept their word.

“I said it takes time, and it will take time, and that’s something which we are used to in the Lockerbie inquiry.

“If we get to the stage of seeking the extradition of two named individuals or more persons, I think there’s a realistic possibility there could be a further trial.”

Last year, investigators in Scotland and the US announced they had two Libyan suspects – Abdullah Senussi, Colonel Gaddafi’s intelligence chief, and Abouajela Masud, who is currently imprisoned for bomb-making.

Mr Mulholland said there were outstanding international letters of request, adding: “I hope that the Libyans will grant permission for that to be done. I obviously can’t say too much publicly but a lot of work is going on.

“What I hope is that we can take it to the next stage of seeking the extradition of the two named individuals.”

The two men are suspected of conspiring with Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the only person convicted of the bombing, who died of cancer in 2012.