CAMPAIGNERS for an independent inquiry into the conviction of the Lockerbie bomber have praised MSPs for keeping the prospect alive.

Holyrood's Justice Committee took a unanimous decision to continue a petition from the Justice for Megrahi group (JfM) pending an investigation by Dumfries and Galloway Police into allegations made by the campaigners. Ian McKie of the campaign group praised the decision as "absolutely the right thing to do" given the continuing police investigation and the issue of the police and Crown Office acting as judge and jury into an investigation into their own conduct.

He said: "If this had fallen, it would have meant it no longer being discussed in the Scottish Parliament and that would have been a scandal. The committee did exactly the right thing. It was a good and just decision."