Original subtitles

The following programme contains strong language.

CLERK: Court!

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

(HIGH-PITCHED RINGING)

JIM: The whole case against them is a fiction.

It's a lie. The entire prosecution case

rested on this... fragment of electronic circuit board.

rested on this... fragment of electronic circuit board.

It was a clue, but no one could identify it

until a forensic scientist at the FBI did nearly a year later.

He matched it to timers they'd seized from Libyan Intelligence agents.

He matched it to timers they'd seized from Libyan Intelligence agents.

British forensic scientists agreed with the FBI.

Similar in all respects.

The timers that the fragment circuit board came from

were made by MEBO, a Swiss company owned by Edwin Bollier.

Yes, we supplied Libya

Yes, we supplied Libya

with 20 of these timers.

MEBO used long delay timers,

which are manually set to trigger the bomb's detonator hours in advance.

So my question is, why put the bomb onto two flights,

Malta to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Heathrow,

before it goes on the plane you want to blow up? It doesn't make sense.

You run the risk of your suitcase being found

You run the risk of your suitcase being found

by security at three airports.

It's clearly a ludicrous basis for a prosecution.

Next...

Next...

Tony Gauci.

Now, he claims that Megrahi bought from his shop

the clothes that were wrapped around the bomb inside the suitcase.

But a year before he identified Megrahi, he mentioned someone else.

Abu Talb, a terrorist with links to Palestinian militant groups

Abu Talb, a terrorist with links to Palestinian militant groups

operating out of Syria.

One of the Scottish Police's first suspects.

The whole prosecution case against Fhimah and Megrahi is full of holes.

The whole prosecution case against Fhimah and Megrahi is full of holes.

It was presented as a foregone conclusion from the very first day.

These men are guilty. We will get a conviction.

Murtagh represented the US Department of Justice.

Murtagh represented the US Department of Justice.

He said that before the trial began, but nothing has been proven.

But if it wasn't them, then who?

Iran. Syria.

Iran. Syria.

But, Jim, they moved on from them. There's more.

One of the prosecution's last witnesses

was a German Police explosives expert.

was a German Police explosives expert.

They wanted him to destroy the Palestinian theory.

Remember the initial suspects, the PFLP-GC?

Well, he did the opposite.

Well, he did the opposite.

Flight 103 could only have been brought down by a PFLP-GC device

if it had been primed or put on board at Heathrow.

if it had been primed or put on board at Heathrow.

And a baggage handler at Heathrow saw two suitcases.

There was two new suitcases lying in the container.

I didn't put them there.

I didn't put them there.

Was the bomb that killed Flora in one of those suitcases?

Was the bomb loaded onto the plane at Heathrow?

Was the bomb loaded onto the plane at Heathrow?

Is Iran behind it? Is Syria?

Did a member of the PFLP-GC put the suitcase there?

Nothing in this whole case adds up. Nothing.

Nothing in this whole case adds up. Nothing.

Fhimah and Megrahi are both innocent.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

Would you give me please your verdict

in respect of the named accused, Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah?

in respect of the named accused, Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah?

Not guilty.

(INDISTINCT WHISPERS)

Would you give me please your verdict

Would you give me please your verdict

in respect of the named accused, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi?

Guilty.

(HIGH-PITCHED RINGING)

(MUFFLED CHATTER, APPLAUSE)

(MUFFLED CHATTER, APPLAUSE)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(INAUDIBLE)

(INAUDIBLE)

He can't be...

He can't...

He can't...

(HEARTBEAT POUNDING)

SUTHERLAND: ..for the crime of murder is 20 years...

(ARABIC TRANSLATION PLAYING THROUGH EARPIECE)

(ARABIC TRANSLATION PLAYING THROUGH EARPIECE)

..life imprisonment..

(SPEAKING ARABIC)

..and that is the sentence that we impose.

..and that is the sentence that we impose.

(HIGH-PITCHED RINGING CONTINUES) (HEARTBEAT POUNDING FASTER)

(SPEAKING ARABIC)

(MEGRAHI'S FAMILY SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)

(HEARTBEAT THUMPING)

(MUFFLED) Jim?

Jim! Quick, get someone, please!

He's collapsed. Please, help me. (PEOPLE CLAMOURING)

Please, help me.Can we get someone in here?Please get someone.

Jim, Jim, it's alright.

Jim, Jim, it's alright.

Jim, it's alright. Need a doctor.

It's alright, Jim. Please...

NEWSCASTER ON TV: Coming to us live from New York.

NEWSCASTER ON TV: Coming to us live from New York.

Reports are reaching us of a collision

involving a passenger plane

which appears to have struck the World Trade Centre.

which appears to have struck the World Trade Centre.

Let's go over to our colleagues in New York.

REPORTER: ..tip of Manhattan, you're looking at the World Trade Centre.

We understand that a plane has crashed into the World Trade Centre.

We understand that a plane has crashed into the World Trade Centre.

We don't know anything more than that.

We don't know if it was a commercial aircraft.

We don't know if it was a private aircraft.

We don't know if it was a private aircraft.

We have no idea how many were on board,

or what the extent of the injuries are right now.

Oh... Oh, my God!

Oh... Oh, my God!

A second plane.

It looks like a second plane has hit the south tower

of the World Trade Centre. (PHONE RINGING)

of the World Trade Centre. (PHONE RINGING)

Oh... Oh...

My God... Um, it looks to be a passenger jet.

(MULTIPLE PHONES RINGING)

The second plane...

(SIREN WAILING)

(NEWSCAST IN DUTCH)

(SIGHS) Fucking terrorists.

Good luck with your appeal now, huh?

Good luck with your appeal now, huh?

GEORGE W. BUSH: These acts of mass murder

were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat.

were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat.

But they have failed.

(SPEAKING ITALIAN) (SPEAKING GERMAN)

(SPEAKING RUSSIAN) (SPEAKING FRENCH)

(SPEAKING RUSSIAN) (SPEAKING FRENCH)

These terrorists will regard us all as targets.

REPORTER: More Muslim terror.

REPORTER 2: Forget political correctness.

REPORTER 2: Forget political correctness.

Racially profile... Racial factor.

REPORTER 3: ..number of hate crimes-

REPORTER 5: Four attempted arson attacks on Arab businesses.

REPORTER 6: Muslims threatened with gunfire.The target of hate-

REPORTER 6: Muslims threatened with gunfire.The target of hate-

ALL CLIPS:War on terror. War on terror.Terrorist.Terrorist.

Terrorism must be fought resolutely.

GEORGE W. BUSH: We will find those who did it.

GEORGE W. BUSH: We will find those who did it.

We'll smoke them out of their holes and we'll bring them to justice.

After a year of witnesses testifying,

al-Megrahi's appeal against his life sentence

al-Megrahi's appeal against his life sentence

was refused earlier today

by a panel of five judges at Camp Zeist, who concluded

that none of the grounds of his appeal were well-founded.

that none of the grounds of his appeal were well-founded.

No surprises there.

Mr Al Megrahi has been flown to Scotland,

Mr Al Megrahi has been flown to Scotland,

where he will serve his 20-year life term

here at Barlinnie Prison, outside Glasgow.

(INMATES CLAMOURING)

(BANGING)

INMATE: You better fucking watch yourself.

INMATE: You better fucking watch yourself.

INMATE 2: Youse gonna die, you dirty rag-head!

(BANGING)

INMATE 3: Welcome to Scotland. You're screwed, pal.

INMATE 3: Welcome to Scotland. You're screwed, pal.

(CLAMOURING CONTINUES)

If you want room service, just ring.

How are you, darling?

How are you, darling?

Exhausted.

Sleep-deprived. (WHISPERS) Doesn't show.

Much. (LAUGHS)

Much. (LAUGHS)

(BABY COOING)

Do you mind her being in here?

Her name's Isabel, Jim.

Her name's Isabel, Jim.

It's a bit odd,

but I know why you've done it.

I want this room used again.

How are you, Dad?

JIM: Oh, you know...

JIM: Oh, you know...

No, I don't.

It's very difficult, obviously.

It's very difficult, obviously.

Megrahi lost his appeal.

He's in prison now over-Shall we go downstairs, let her sleep?

But trying to get any information about how he is,

But trying to get any information about how he is,

is proving impossible.You're still convinced of his innocence?

Of course.

Of course.

You only have to look at his failed appeal.

All kinds of new evidence heard,

new information about the shopkeeper, Heathrow.

You know there was a break-in? He has to appeal again.

You know there was a break-in? He has to appeal again.

Jim! Jim!He has to show- Jim, please.

(PHONE RINGING)

(SCOFFS) (WHISPERS INDISTINCTLY)

Hello? Hey, Jim. Good news.

I've just heard Megrahi is being granted application

I've just heard Megrahi is being granted application

for a second appeal. Oh, that is fantastic.

He's also got rid of his legal team, hired a new lawyer, Roddy McGill.

He was with Fhimah's defence team. Yeah, well, Megrahi is obviously

He was with Fhimah's defence team. Yeah, well, Megrahi is obviously

hoping for the Midas touch. Also, Jim,

I found a detective who was on the original investigation.

He wants to talk. Oh, I've gotta go.

He wants to talk. Oh, I've gotta go.

(CLEARS THROAT)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

Bryan?

What the hell are you doing here?

I said no. Oh, you phoned me...

Aye, then I thought better of it. Now, fuck off.

Aye, then I thought better of it. Now, fuck off.

Look, I remember talking to you a few weeks after Lockerbie

about the FBI, CIA. Possible interference in the investigation.

about the FBI, CIA. Possible interference in the investigation.

Evidence tampering. I...

I can't speak to you. I'm still with the force.

Why call me out of the blue 14 years later?

You know there's been a cover-up, don't you?

You know there's been a cover-up, don't you?

You're looking in the wrong place.

What do you mean?

Bryan...

What do you mean?

What do you mean?

What do you mean?

Your source pan out?

Your source pan out?

Uh, no. He got spooked.

But, um, I'll give it a couple more days

and try again.

and try again.

I'd drop it, Guthrie. There are bigger things going on.

(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC)

(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC)

(HORN HONKING)

(DOOR KNOCK, OPENS) Mr McGill.

(DOOR KNOCK, OPENS) Mr McGill.

I've got a Jim Swire here.

It's very good to meet you, Mr McGill.

Congratulations on getting Fhimah off.

Congratulations on getting Fhimah off.

(CHUCKLES) Well, we're hoping for a repeat performance.

Um... Shona Randall, my senior associate.

John Ashton, our researcher.

John Ashton, our researcher.

As you can see, we're targeting the prosecution's weak spots.

Tony Gauci being a big one.

Tony Gauci being a big one.

I see you have Robert Baer's name there.

Ex-CIA case officer who was based in the Middle East.

You certainly need to talk to him.

You certainly need to talk to him.

What he says in that book about Iran being behind the bomb

is potentially game-changing. Yeah, I know.

But I've had no response from him or his publisher.

But I've had no response from him or his publisher.

I do know he happens to have a book tour coming up.

What are Megrahi's chances? I'd say it's pretty good.

What are Megrahi's chances? I'd say it's pretty good.

But it's up to the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, not us.

I will never understand it.

The prosecution built its entire case around the claim

The prosecution built its entire case around the claim

that they acted together. I mean, even the UN observer

and the trial questioned how judges came up with guilty in one case

and not guilty in the other. Well, we need to make sure

and not guilty in the other. Well, we need to make sure

the Review Commission sees the absurdity of that.

It's a total miscarriage of justice.

As you can see, Dr Swire, we're in the midst of doing exactly that.

As you can see, Dr Swire, we're in the midst of doing exactly that.

I want to visit Mr Megrahi.

I want to visit Mr Megrahi.

I fought long and hard for that trial.

I want to meet him.

I want to meet him.

All that blood on his hands.

How can you, of all people,

How can you, of all people,

be able to be in the same room as him?

(DOOR UNLOCKING)

(DOOR UNLOCKING)

(DOOR OPENS)

(DOOR CLOSES)

(HANDCUFFS CLICK)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

(DOOR CLOSES, LOCKS)

(DOOR CLOSES, LOCKS)

(MUSIC STOPS)

Did you kill my daughter?

No.

I did not.

I did not.

Forgive me. I had to hear you say it.

Forgive me. I had to hear you say it.

Sometimes...

..it is best to be direct.

You must have other questions.

You must have other questions.

Ask.

How are you?

I will spend 20 years in a foreign jail for a...

I will spend 20 years in a foreign jail for a...

crime I did not commit.

My family have had to move to this foreign country

My family have had to move to this foreign country

where they are abused and attacked daily.

I can't imagine what it must be like for you, being in here.

I can't imagine what it must be like for you, being in here.

With your family having to suffer that.

Especially knowing what I know now. What do you know now?

That the case against you is a sham.

That the case against you is a sham.

A travesty of justice.

And I will do everything in my power

to help you, Mr Megrahi.

Get your conviction overturned.

Get your conviction overturned.

I... (CLEARS THROAT)

I am intrigued.

It is to absolve your guilt?

Like I said, Dr Swire, sometimes it's best to be direct.

You are here partly because of my actions.

Not a day goes by without my bitterly regretting that.

I was led to believe that the evidence against you was watertight.

I was led to believe that the evidence against you was watertight.

Incontestable. Yes.

They did their best.

They lied, deceived.

They lied, deceived.

They succeeded.

Dr Swire...

my country Libya is paying for my legal fees.

I have new legal team after the failure...

I have new legal team after the failure...

..of my first appeal.

So, please tell me,

why do I need you to help me?

why do I need you to help me?

What do you expect, Dr Swire?

I would embrace you as my saviour?

I would embrace you as my saviour?

No, that's not what I expect at all.

I have to do something.

I have to do something.

Because if you do not...

we may never find out who killed your daughter.

Yes.

Yes.

So in truth, it's not about me at all, is it, Dr Swire?

Perhaps not.

Not entirely.

I wear this badge for my daughter.

And now wear it also for you, Mr Megrahi.

And now wear it also for you, Mr Megrahi.

And simply for what it says.

The truth must be known.

The truth must be known.

Please...

Please...

..call me Baset.

I thought I might find you here.

I thought I might find you here.

You're hard to get hold of these days.

Good to see you, Jim.

How long has it been? Nearly a year? Something like that.

How long has it been? Nearly a year? Something like that.

You on your way to Skye? I visited Barlinnie this morning.

You never cease to amaze.

You never cease to amaze.

What if I got you an interview with Baset?

Baset?I can arrange it. I can speak to him,

Baset?I can arrange it. I can speak to him,

speak to his appeal team- Megrahi's not news, Jim.

The last time I wrote anything about Lockerbie,

The last time I wrote anything about Lockerbie,

buried on page eight, two columns.

The world and my editor wants 9/11 and the war on terror.

(CHUCKLE) I'm being left behind. You can interview both of us.

(CHUCKLE) I'm being left behind. You can interview both of us.

The father of Flora Swire and the innocent man convicted of her murder.

Then the press would murder you, Jim.

Believe me, that's not the exposure you're wanting.

Believe me, that's not the exposure you're wanting.

The... Look, Jim...

(CLEARS THROAT AND INHALES)

(CLEARS THROAT AND INHALES)

The thing is,

most people think he did it.

And now, most people just want to forget.

Bye, darling. Take care. Love you. Drive safely now.

I do. (ENGINE STARTS)

I do. (ENGINE STARTS)

(CAR DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)

(CAR DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)

How was Cathy? Isabel?

What?

What?

It saddens me you have to ask that.

They're fine, Jim.

How is he?

Struggling.

Struggling.

I think he appreciated my visit.

Did you not want me to go?

I'm not sure it matters what I say anymore.

I'm not sure it matters what I say anymore.

He's all you talk about. You know that, don't you?

I'm trying to get him freed.

I'm trying to get him freed.

Hmm.

You've not asked one of us directly what we think.

You've never wanted to sit down and discuss it as a family.

You just assume we're behind you, supporting you.

Is that what the children think?

Is that what the children think?

Well, why can't they just come and speak to me?

Because they don't think you listen, Jim, and you don't.

Because they don't think you listen, Jim, and you don't.

You haven't noticed they hardly come here anymore.

There are too many bad memories.

There are too many bad memories.

But this- this is where they grew up. This is where they all grew up.

I think we should move.

I'm not leaving this house!

I'm not leaving this house!

I want to be closer to my children, to my grandchildren.

I want to be around life, not death.

Not- Not death every single minute of the day.

Not- Not death every single minute of the day.

Would I rejoin the CIA if I was asked?

With all due respect,

With all due respect,

have you read any of my books? (LAUGHTER)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Thank you.

Jim Swire, as I live and breathe.

Jim Swire, as I live and breathe.

Professional thorn in the side, just like me.

How are you? It's good to meet you, Bob.

This is John Ashton from Megrahi's appeal team.

Of course. Let me finish up here.

Of course. Let me finish up here.

I'll meet you guys in the next room to this in ten.

No prying ears.

Damn good to meet you, Jim.

Damn good to meet you, Jim.

Look, Lockerbie is very simple. It was Iran's revenge.

For the Americans shooting down their Airbus?

Like I say in the book, the CIA had known about it all along.

Like I say in the book, the CIA had known about it all along.

The bombing of Flight 103 was conceived,

authorized and financed by Iran.

They paid the Syrian-based PFLP-GC to do it.

They paid the Syrian-based PFLP-GC to do it.

The bomb was made by a PFLP-GC bomb maker,

a Jordanian named Marwan Khreesat.

We know that they were raided by German police

We know that they were raided by German police

in October 1988.The Autumn Leaves operation.Yeah.

They arrested some of their main players,

but others slipped through the net.

They only found four explosive devices.

They only found four explosive devices.

Lost track of the fifth.

I believe that was the bomb that killed your daughter, Jim.

Your guy, Megrahi,

Your guy, Megrahi,

had nothing to do with it.

You talk about a meeting.

The Iranians met with the PFLP-GC people in Beirut.

We had telephone intercepts of them discussing it.

We had telephone intercepts of them discussing it.

Two days after Lockerbie,

Iran transferred $11 million into a PFLP-GC bank account.

Iran transferred $11 million into a PFLP-GC bank account.

We have records of the transfer.

Hell, we had ironclad proof.

Handed over our intel to the US Administration. What did they do?

One look, quietly shelved it.

One look, quietly shelved it.

Why? There were bigger problems.

Like Saddam Hussein.

Once he invaded Kuwait in 1990, suddenly everything changed.

Once he invaded Kuwait in 1990, suddenly everything changed.

We were at war, and we needed Iran and Syria on our side,

so the heat was off them, sands shifted.

They pointed the finger at Libya. A rogue state,

They pointed the finger at Libya. A rogue state,

proven terrorist links, developing weapons of mass destruction.

Gaddafi was the top of our hit list.

Plus, we needed to throw some kind of bone

to the victims' grieving families.

to the victims' grieving families.

Libya was that bone.

This has to go into the submission, John.

The Review Commission have to know about this.Would you speak to them?

Go on the record? Sure.

I'll talk to whoever you want, but it won't make a difference.

I'll talk to whoever you want, but it won't make a difference.

Right now, Libya is right where we want them.

Tomorrow, that could all be flipped.

Libya has oil, remember.

Libya has oil, remember.

Suddenly Gaddafi will be back in favour,

or he'll buy his way back into favour.

And Megrahi will stay guilty for as long as they need him to.

And Megrahi will stay guilty for as long as they need him to.

It's all transactional, Jim, so tread carefully.

You don't want to be on loose footing when the sands shift.

You don't want to be on loose footing when the sands shift.

RODERICK: There it is, our full report ready to be submitted

RODERICK: There it is, our full report ready to be submitted

to the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Where's the champagne, then? (LAUGHTER)

On ice. For now, it's the pub.

We have to get it accepted first.

We have to get it accepted first.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

We appreciate what you've gone through to help out.

We appreciate what you've gone through to help out.

How long will it take the Review Commission to decide?

Well, they're professionals, they know what they're doing.

Thank you.

It's a man's incarceration we're talking about.

I'd say a year...

I'd say a year...

..maybe less.

(DOOR SLAMS)

They took their time...

but the Review Commission have finally

delivered their statement of reasons.

delivered their statement of reasons.

(SIGHS)

They rejected all of our submissions.

(ALL GROANING) Shit.

(ALL GROANING) Shit.

Apart from six.

(LAUGHTER)

Six grounds for referral back to an Appeal Court.

Six grounds for referral back to an Appeal Court.

The first ground of referral.

Unreasonable verdict.

The judges were satisfied the purchase of clothing

The judges were satisfied the purchase of clothing

was made from Gauci's shop on December 7th, 1988,

when Megrahi was in Malta.

But Tony Gauci was never clear on the exact purchase date.

But Tony Gauci was never clear on the exact purchase date.

He tell the court a Libyan customer buy umbrella from his shop

because it's raining outside.

My defence team called Malta's chief meteorologist...

My defence team called Malta's chief meteorologist...

Who said there was no rain on the 7th of December.Yes, but...

there was rain on the 23rd of November.

there was rain on the 23rd of November.

The only other potential purchase date matching Gauci's statement...

and I was not on Malta on the 23rd of November.

and I was not on Malta on the 23rd of November.

Baset? Please...

I must use bathroom.

Referral grounds two and three,

undisclosed evidence relating

to Gauci's identification of Megrahi,

and the date when the clothes were purchased from his shop.

and the date when the clothes were purchased from his shop.

Thank you.

When the Commission looked into this...Everything alright?

..they found that Gauci actually gave 23 statements,

..they found that Gauci actually gave 23 statements,

and he was visited by the Scottish Police, Jim, more than 50 times.

50? 50. You remember,

50? 50. You remember,

only 19 of his statements were given to my defence team.

The details of these meetings, they have never been revealed.

The details of these meetings, they have never been revealed.

What else did Gauci claim in them, I wonder?

By withholding this information,

the Crown denied the defence items of real importance...

the Crown denied the defence items of real importance...

in undermining the Crown case.

Fourth referral. Undisclosed evidence

about Gauci's interest in rewards.

about Gauci's interest in rewards.

The commission discovered three Scottish police documents

that suggested that Gauci...

Gauchi was aware that a substantial reward

Gauchi was aware that a substantial reward

was an offer from the US Government.

A reward for giving evidence?

Jesus! Did he get paid?

Jesus! Did he get paid?

SHONA: Referral five. Undisclosed secret intelligence documents.

Last year, the Crown informed the commission

Last year, the Crown informed the commission

of two classified documents held at Dumfries police station.

The commission believes non-disclosure

of one of the documents indicates...

of one of the documents indicates...

that a miscarriage of justice may have occurred.

That is what we were waiting for.

Music to my ears.

It's all centered, everything, on Gauci's evidence.

It's all centered, everything, on Gauci's evidence.

They seem to have dismissed pretty much everything else.

There's nothing here about Robert Baer, PFLP-GC.

There's nothing whatsoever about the timer fragment.

There's nothing whatsoever about the timer fragment.

(SIGHS)

You're frustrated.

You're frustrated.

I'm happy for you, of course, I am.

But there's nothing in here that helps us discover what did happen.

But there's nothing in here that helps us discover what did happen.

Nothing that gets us closer to the truth.

It's, uh...

You would say, one step at a time.

So, Jim, one step at a time.

So, Jim, one step at a time.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

I didn't think I'd see you again.

So you left the Dumfries force?

Megrahi got his second appeal.

Second appeal. Possible miscarriage of justice.

And the Crown with a hell of a lot of questions to answer.

And the Crown with a hell of a lot of questions to answer.

Including one about undisclosed secret documents

held at your police station.

I'll drive. You talk.

(ENGINE STARTS)

One of these documents is a letter from the King of Jordan

to the then Prime Minister John Major,

to the then Prime Minister John Major,

intimating that the Libyans were innocent of the crime.

It points the finger at the PFLP-GC and the bomb maker Marwan Khreesat,

who is believed by many,

who is believed by many,

including and according to Robert Baer and most of the CIA,

to have built the bomb that brought down Flight 103.

Now, these documents were known to the Crown during the trial,

Now, these documents were known to the Crown during the trial,

and they withheld them from the defence.

We're still not allowed to see them.

So what are we talking about here?

A cover-up? Was Megrahi framed?

A cover-up? Was Megrahi framed?

Whatever it is, they want to keep it buried. It's mucky as hell.

So why are you still standing here?

Go and talk to people and find out what they're not telling us.

Go and talk to people and find out what they're not telling us.

Then write the bloody thing.

(KEYBOARD CLICKING)

Jim, it's Murray.

Good to hear from you, Murray.

Wait till you hear what I've got for you.

Wait till you hear what I've got for you.

Front page? Without a doubt.

What do you mean we can't publish it?

We want to- But you can't.

We want to- But you can't.

Phil Marsden, our lawyer. Why the hell not?

We ran the story past the FCO for comment. I got a call back

We ran the story past the FCO for comment. I got a call back

threatening legal action.You don't think that's just scare tactics?

The Foreign Secretary, David Miliband,

has issued a public interest immunity certificate,

has issued a public interest immunity certificate,

a PII.What? For reasons of national security.

To protect the contents of certain documents.

These documents your source is talking about

These documents your source is talking about

may well be the same ones Megrahi's defence team

were denied access to under that PII.

were denied access to under that PII.

We're still going to print it, right?

Publish and be damned and all that? You'll be damned, and I'll be sued.

Publish and be damned and all that? You'll be damned, and I'll be sued.

And your legal fees alone will mean this newspaper goes down.

I just don't get it. The documents in that safe,

they're over 20 years old. Makes no matter.

This is the long arm of the state.

This is the long arm of the state.

For national security, read intelligence services, MI6,

CIA, who knows who else? Protected like they always are-

CIA, who knows who else? Protected like they always are-

You said you'd publish it. You phoned me up

and you told me you'd publish it. Yeah, I know, but-No.

Take it somewhere else. Someone will print it. Someone not afraid of them.

Take it somewhere else. Someone will print it. Someone not afraid of them.

Not gonna do that.

Give it to me.

Give it to me.

I will.

I'm not going to let them get away with it.

This is serious.

This is serious.

You need to see sense. You could be sued.

I could be sued.

(SIGHS)

You ever think this might be a lost cause, Jim?

You ever think this might be a lost cause, Jim?

That they will never allow us to know the truth?

I never thought I'd hear you say that.

(SIGHS)

I'm so sorry, but it's cancer.

I'm so sorry, but it's cancer.

Prostate cancer.

(SPEAKING ARABIC)

GHADA: Will he survive?

GHADA: Will he survive?

I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that.

I'm sorry.

How is he?

How is he?

(SPEAKING ARABIC)

(SPEAKING ARABIC)

Thank you.

Thank you.

(DOOR CLOSES)

How're you doing?

How're you doing?

Please, go sit down.

OK. I can do it. I can do it.

You have been told?

Yes.

Is it...

severe?

Yes. Yes, it is.

Yes. Yes, it is.

But I've had patients who fought their cancer, who beat it.

And you, Baset, you're a fighter.

And you, Baset, you're a fighter.

Mmm.

I don't want to die here, Jim.

I don't want that either.

I don't want that either.

I don't want my family to see me die here.

I want to go home to die.

I want to go home to die.

Jim...

Jim...

..the UK and Libya are negotiating

..the UK and Libya are negotiating

a prisoner transfer agreement.

I heard.

I will be instructing my Libyan lawyers to make an application to...

I will be instructing my Libyan lawyers to make an application to...

..return home and serve whatever time I have left there.

..return home and serve whatever time I have left there.

And what about your appeal?

You think I would give it up?

If Prisoner Transfer is granted, you'll be in Libya.

Jim...

OK...

..I have said to you before, I will say it again.

I will not go down in history as a Lockerbie bomber.

I will not go down in history as a Lockerbie bomber.

I will not let them do that to me.

I will never give up my appeal.

I will never give up my appeal.

Whether I am here,

in Libya, dead or alive...

my appeal will go to court.

my appeal will go to court.

Trust me and you will get what you want.

My name will be cleared,

and you will go on and find out who really did this.

RODERICK: Baset, I'm afraid there's a problem.

RODERICK: Baset, I'm afraid there's a problem.

Under Scottish law...

..to be considered for a PT,

a prisoner can't have an appeal ongoing.

You'd have to give it up.

Baset, there is another way.

Baset, there is another way.

You're released on compassionate grounds.

You'll be examined by three separate doctors

who will decide...

who will decide...

how long you have to live.

And if it's less than three months,

then there's a good possibility

then there's a good possibility

that you will return home and you can keep your appeal.

These are the options.

These are the options.

You must decide.

MACASKILL: Well, we have beliefs and values in Scotland that

those who perpetrate crimes, certainly heinous atrocities

those who perpetrate crimes, certainly heinous atrocities

such as this, should be brought to justice.

That has been done.

Equally, we recognise that justice has to be tempered by mercy.

Equally, we recognise that justice has to be tempered by mercy.

That there has to be the ability to recognise

that although he did not show compassion to the victims,

that doesn't mean that we should lower our beliefs, or our values.

that doesn't mean that we should lower our beliefs, or our values.

REPORTER: A campaign for the release of the man

convicted of the Lockerbie bombing was launched today.

Justice for Megrahi is appealing for the early release

Justice for Megrahi is appealing for the early release

of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds.

I just think it is absolutely wrong to release someone

who has been imprisoned based on evidence,

who has been imprisoned based on evidence,

about his involvement in such a horrendous crime.

DAVID CAMERON: I think this is a very bad decision.

DAVID CAMERON: I think this is a very bad decision.

This man was convicted of murdering 270 people.

REPORTER 2: Some claim economic influences were key

to the deal struck by Tony Blair and Colonel Gaddafi

to the deal struck by Tony Blair and Colonel Gaddafi

on the potential release of the Lockerbie bomber,

the so-called "deal in the desert."

RAEBURN: The fact that Libyan oil reserves are now understood

RAEBURN: The fact that Libyan oil reserves are now understood

to be far greater than they may have thought to have been in the past...

shouldn't be overlooked.

JIM: Megrahi will continue with his appeal,

JIM: Megrahi will continue with his appeal,

and regardless of opinion on his conviction,

the Justice For Megrahi campaign urges the Scottish government

to send Mr Megrahi back to Libya on compassionate grounds.

to send Mr Megrahi back to Libya on compassionate grounds.

Jim, take it off.

Jim, take it off.

Please. Not here. Not today.

I'm not ashamed.

I'll look them in the eye. For us...?

I'll look them in the eye. For us...?

Do it for us.

WOMAN: John Michael Gerard Ahern.

Sarah Margaret Aicher.

John David Ackerstrom.

Ronald Ely Alexander.

Thomas Joseph Ammerman.

Thomas Joseph Ammerman.

Bridget Concannon. (BELL TOLLS)

Thomas Concannon.

MAN: Roger Elwood Hurst.

MAN: Roger Elwood Hurst.

Elizabeth Sophie Ivell.

Andrew Alexander Teran.

Andrew Alexander Teran.

Arva Anthony Thomas.

Jonathan Ryan Thomas.

WOMAN 2: Flora McDonald Margaret Swire.

WOMAN 2: Flora McDonald Margaret Swire.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

WOMAN: I don't know what he thinks he's doing.

MAN: This should be about remembrance, not politics.

MAN: This should be about remembrance, not politics.

MAN 2: I can't believe he's here.

WOMAN 2: It's a disgrace. He's befriended a killer.

WOMAN 2: It's a disgrace. He's befriended a killer.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

JANE: Lovely to see you again.

Four grandkids myself actually. Yeah.

Is it Ellen?

Jane's spoken a lot about you. Sorry. This is Jim, my husband.

Yes, I know. Hello, Jim.

Look, I'm sorry, I think we're running low on hot water.

I'll see you shortly.

Um, I'd like to go.

Um, I'd like to go.

BERT: Everyone here agrees with me, the world agrees.

BERT: Everyone here agrees with me, the world agrees.

Releasing Megrahi would be insane, immoral, reprehensible.

He has to serve his time here in Scotland.

Then they can send his ashes back to Libya in a casket.

Then they can send his ashes back to Libya in a casket.

Jim. Jim!

Can't you see it from their point of view for one second?

It is so completely irrational.

Who are you to decide what's rational or irrational?

Maybe this appeal isn't rational to them.

Maybe this appeal isn't rational to them.

Maybe none of this is rational

to people who process their grief by moving forwards

rather than scrambling around in the past.

rather than scrambling around in the past.

They're hurt and they're angry.

And completely fixated on one man. Oh, not like you, then?

That's how they cope.

This is how you cope. I am not coping.

This is how you cope. I am not coping.

Oh, yes, of course. You're doing this for Flora. What you always say.

But it's not about Flora anymore, Jim.

But it's not about Flora anymore, Jim.

It's not even about him. (DOOR OPENING)

You have visitors.

You have visitors.

You're just doing anything you can to avoid grieving.

That is simply not true. Jim!

You can't sit still.

You can't sit still.

You can't be silent for one moment to take in what happened to us.

If you did, then you'd see the- the damage.

If you did, then you'd see the- the damage.

You're saying this is my fault? No. I'm to blame, too.

But you're missing everything, Jim.

We need you now before it's too late.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Baset has promised me he's committed to fighting this.

(SPEAKING ARABIC)

Once his appeal is over,

Once his appeal is over,

we will find out who really did this.

(SPEAKING ARABIC)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC SWELLS)

(MUSIC STOPS)

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