BP admits lobbying over Lockerbie bomber release
BP has admitted that it had lobbied the government in late 2007 over a prisoner transfer agreement for the man convicted of the Lockerbie bomber with Libya over fears it would hold up a drilling deal.
“BP told the UK government that we were concerned about the slow progress that was being made in concluding a Prisoner Transfer Agreement with Libya,” the company said in a statement.
“We were aware that this could have a negative impact on UK commercial interests, including the ratification by the Libyan government of BP’s exploration agreement.”
BP said it was not involved in discussions or details regarding the release of Abdel Basset al-Megrahi.
He was released to return to his homeland on health grounds.
“The decision to release al-Megrahi in August 2009 was taken by the Scottish government. It is not for BP to comment on the decision of the Scottish government. BP was not involved in any such discussions about the release of al-Megrahi,” it said.