Scottish National Party Glasgow North East by-election candidate David Kerr voiced support for the decision by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill to grant compassionate release to Al Megrahi back to Libya.

Mr Kerr said: "When I first heard of Kenny MacAskill's decision last week, I confess I was sceptical, and my initial thought was that he could perhaps be released into the care of a hospice in Scotland.

"However, like everyone else, I have now had the opportunity to hear the arguments.  I watched the Justice Secretary's parliamentary statement on Monday very carefully, and it is obvious that this option would have been totally impractical on the basis of the unacceptable level of security required.

"In light of all the information and arguments that have come forward, it is now quite clear to me, and I believe a growing number of people in Scotland - of all parties and none - that the Justice Secretary took the right decision, and above all he took it for the right reasons."