Scotland to Aid BP-Lockerbie Probe

The government of Scotland has proclaimed itself ready to assist in the upcoming U.S. investigation into the release of the Lockerbie bomber—which BP lobbied for, so that it could secure an oil deal with Libya. "We would always look to assist any properly constituted inquiry," the Scottish government said in a statement. The U.S. Senate has scheduled hearings for July 29, but the Scottish government says it has not yet received any requests for information from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Both the Scottish and U.K. governments have said that BP did not influence the decision by Scotland, which had sole authority over the matter, to grant Abdel Baset al Megrahi compassionate release.