24 years since Lockerbie.

It's hard to believe that 24 years have passed since the Pan Am jet blew up over Lockerbie in 1988. Excited passengers flying home to the US for Christmas and people on the ground in Lockerbie going about their daily lives. Then devastation

I can still remember the night as I was walking across to my neighbour's house to deliver their Christmas card and he called me in to show me the reports on tv. We thought it was a tragic accident and wondered how it could have happened. The weather seemed ok. Just cold and dark. Later reports mentioned a bomb and fingers were pointed at Syria or Iran who were accused of carrying out the bombing in revenge for the downing of an Iranian passenger jet by the US Navy. But then the blame swung towards Libya. And the rest is history. A myriad of blogs and theories as to the real culprits abound but I expect it will never be settled without a new inquiry that looks at all the new evidence.

The ousting of Gaddafi from Libya was expected to reveal more evidence but nothing has been forthcoming. The Libyan Government has just announced that it will soon reveal any papers it has but this remains to be seen. They've already had over a year to produce any files of interest.

The SNP Government have repeatedly stated that the conviction of Megrahi is totally safe and that they had no doubt of his guilt so it's hard to see any new evidence being looked at with an open mind.

Megrahi dropped his appeal when he was released on humanitarian grounds so the new evidence didn't make it to court

Every Anniversary will bring added sadness to the families and friends of the bereaved so I wish them well and hope they can find the strength to have a Happy Christmas.