Desmond Tutu backs Lockerbie bomber release

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has backed the Scottish Government's decision to release the Lockerbie bomber on compassionate grounds, it emerged today.

The South African cleric said Scottish Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill's decision to allow Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, to return home to die in Libya should be "commended."

In a message to the Scottish Government, Archbishop Tutu welcomed the bomber's return home.

"I believe the Scottish Justice Secretary's decision to release Mr al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds is to be commended," said the former Nobel Peace prize winner.

"One understands the anguish of family members and friends of the victims but they honour their memory more by being compassionate than retributive."

He is the second world figure to back the release in recent weeks, after Nelson Mandela also welcomed the move.

Megrahi is the only man to be convicted over the 1988 PanAm airline bombing which resulted in 270 deaths.