'COMPELLING CASE' TO FREE BOMBER

Appeal judges in Edinburgh heard Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi is terminally ill and should be released on compassionate grounds.

Al Megrahi's defence team at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh said the former Libyan intelligence agent did not have long to live and should be released in order to reside with his family in Scotland while receiving medical treatment.

But prosecutors argue the gravity of the offence means he should remain in jail at HMP Greenock.

Al Megrahi, 56, is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 27 years for the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988 which led to the deaths of 270 people.

At the two and a half hour hearing before Scotland's Lord Justice General Lord Hamilton, Lord Kingarth and Lord Wheatley, defence counsel Maggie Scott told the court: "The appellant is terminally ill. His suffering will be reduced if he is released from prison conditions."

She added: "He is very ill and does not have long to live so bail is therefore sought on compassionate grounds."

Ms Scott went on: "There is a compelling case for the release of this man on interim liberation."

Prosecutor Ronnie Clancy QC said the gravity of the offence was the Crown's primary opposition against granting bail.

The judges have now retired to consider whether Al Megrahi will be granted interim bail ahead of his appeal which is due to take place next year. Their decision is expected at a later date.