THE release of the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing was not discussed by the Scottish cabinet ahead of a decision, newly released papers show.

Abdelbaset al-Megrahi had been sentenced to life imprisonment at a special Scottish Court convened in The Hague for his role in the 1988 bombing of PanAm flight 103, which exploded over Dumfries and Galloway killing 270.

But after eight years in prison protesting his innocence and winning the support of representatives of British relatives of the atrocity, as well as MPs, Nelson Mandela, and the UN’s official observer at his trial for his appeals, he sought early release on compassionate grounds after being diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer.

Newly published papers from June 2009 show then SNP justice secretary Kenny McAskill informed cabinet he “was considering the formal application” but no discussion appears to have taken place before Mr Megrahi was allowed to return to Libya in August 2009 before succumbing to the disease three years later.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland on the anniversary of the bombing a few weeks ago, Mr McAskill said:

“He was a sick man, he lived considerably longer than the prognosis but I think there is reason for that.

“I followed the values and laws we uphold in Scotland and sent him home to see out the rest of his life.”

Casting his own doubt over the ability of Mr Megrahi to have carried out the bombing and, with it, his conviction, Mr McAskill added that he believed Abu Agila Masud to have been the culprit, stating:

“I have always believed [Masud] is the bomber.

“He has returned and will face trial in America, I believe he will be convicted, and he is the bomber.”

Mr Masud denies all the charges.