It follows an attack by the head of the FBI, who said freeing Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi made a "mockery of justice". And Scotland's former first minister Jack McConnell said it was a "grave error of judgment". Meanwhile, Libya has rowed back on suggestions that Megrahi's repatriation was part of a trade deal with Britain. Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi, reportedly told a TV station that Megrahi's case was "always on the negotiating table" during talks with the UK on commercial contracts. But his spokesman told the BBC the comments had been taken out of context and he had been referring to historic relations between Libya and Britain. "There was no desire, there was no intention to link the release of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds with any other issue," said Youssef Sawani. Business Secretary Lord Mandelson dismissed suggestions of a deal as "offensive". Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, was freed from Greenock Prison on Thursday to be allowed home to Libya to die.
Announcing the release, Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the country's justice system was based on both judgement and compassion.
Megrahi flew back to jubilant scenes and senior figures have continued to visit the 57-year-old at his home in Tripoli.
Robert Mueller, chief of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, is a former prosecutor who played a key role in investigating the 1988 Lockerbie bombing which killed 270 people.
In a letter to Mr MacAskill, he said: "Your action in releasing Megrahi is as inexplicable as it is detrimental to the cause of justice.
"Indeed your action makes a mockery of the rule of law. Your action gives comfort to terrorists around the world."
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