Exclusive: A confidential medical report has provided a unique insight into the current psychological distress of the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing.

A confidential medical report has provided a unique insight into the current psychological distress of the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing.

The remarkable six-page document, seen by The Herald, was written by a consultant clinical psychologist and commissioned by the Libyan consul.

It exposes the private, family-centred nature of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, who is currently serving a 27-year sentence in HMP Greenock for the bombing of Pan Am 103 in December 1988.

The report warns that Megrahi, who is suffering from terminal prostate cancer and whose appeal to clear his name began last month, is suffering high levels of "emotional and psychological distress".

It highlights the detrimental impact of him being "socially and culturally isolated" and suggests that if he could be closer to his family, it would probably allow him to live longer.

It states: "Like anyone else diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, he remembers feeling desperate to be with his family. In the event he was given no emotional support, only what he was able to obtain over the telephone. Over the next three days he found it difficult to sleep at night. He has since received no formal emotional or psychological support.

"...He is cut off from his family and unable to receive their care or care for their needs. When a parent is diagnosed with a fatal illness their overwhelming desire is to make plans for their children's future so as to ensure their survival.

"The strength of this need is to reflect an evolved biological imperative to care for one's young, especially in the face of death. Quite apart from this, it is obviously humane that people be able to spend their last few months receiving the spiritual and emotional support from the people closest to them, and it is probable that this may even lengthen their survival."

The case was referred back for a fresh appeal in June 2007 because it may have been "a miscarriage of justice" on six different counts, according to the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission.

However, on April 29, Libya signed and ratified the prisoner transfer agreement with the UK that could see Megrahi returning to Tripoli.

Since then the appeal has continued as he is said to be determined to clear his name. Libya has applied to the UK Government to transfer Megrahi - a decision which will ultimately rest with Scottish ministers.

In order for the transfer to be signed off he would have to drop his appeal against conviction. While he wants to clear his name, it is far from certain he would survive a long appeal case. And for a man who wants to spend his remaining time with his family a transfer will prove an alluring option.

Megrahi's health is said to be deteriorating.

Last month Margaret Scott, his QC, told the court: "He is in considerable discomfort. It is not anticipated he will be able to witness proceedings over the next series of days. He does, however, want matters to proceed."

Earlier this year, The Herald revealed that Libyan officials had been encouraged by senior civil servants from both sides of the border, including Robert Gordon, the head of the Justice Department in Scotland, to apply for Megrahi to be transferred as soon as the agreement was ratified.

It is thought to suit certain interests in both the UK and US to have the appeal quietly dropped.

First Minister Alex Salmond declared in April 2008 that Megrahi would serve his full sentence in Scotland and that he would "defend the integrity of the Scottish judicial system". However, officials have privately made clear to the Libyans that they are prepared to go back on such claims, which were allegedly "made more in relation to the murky politics of the deal in the desert than Megrahi".