There was a mixed response from across the globe to news that Abdelbaset al-Megrahi had died, just after spending 1000 days at home on compassionate release.

Prime Minister David Cameron today reacted to news of his death by saying: "I've always been clear he should never have been released from prison.

"Today is a day to remember the 270 people who lost their lives in what was an appalling terrorist act.Our thoughts should be with them and their families for the suffering they've had."

The Prime Minister dismissed calls for an inquiry into Megrahi's conviction which the Libyan always contested.

"This has been thoroughly gone through.There was a proper process, a proper court proceeding and all the rest of it. We have to give people the chance to mourn those that were lost. I'm very clear that the court case was properly done and properly dealt with."

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Today should be about remembering the victims of the Lockerbie bombing.There is still a live investigation. The Crown Office never believed he was the only one responsible."

Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said: "Megrahi was convicted by a Scots court, under Scots law, of the greatest act of mass murder in Scottish history.

"Three years ago the Scottish government chose to release him on the pretext he had just three months to live. That was an insult to the victims.

"At this moment let me, on behalf of the people of Scotland, apologise to the families of all the victims of the Lockerbie bombing, for his early release."

Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Willie Rennie said: "Although this is an end to a chapter of one of the worst terrorist events in Scotland there should be no celebration that Abdelbaset al-Megrahi has died.Instead it should act as a spur to establish the facts including whether crucial forensic evidence was withheld from the trial."

Scotland Office Minister David Mundell, whose Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale & Tweeddale constituency includes Lockerbie, said: "Obviously, one commiserates with family members at the time of a death, whatever the circumstances.

"Mr Megrahi's passing is the end of a chapter, but not the end of the story that has unfolded since that terrible night in 1988. It will not bring closure to all those bereaved or otherwise caught up in that tragic event and who want answers. So, that quest goes on and I still hope that the new regime in Libya can play a part in delivering those answers.

"I recently visited Syracuse University in New York State. Thirty five Syracuse students died in the Lockerbie bombing and it is they and all the other 270 victims that should be and remain in our thoughts."

Jim Swire, whose daughter Flora died in the explosion, said he had never regarded Megrahi as "the Lockerbie bomber" despite his conviction, and suggested his death could be the impetus for a full inquiry into who was responsible.

"I met him last time face-to-face in Tripoli in December last year, when he was very sick and in a lot of pain.But he still wanted to talk to me about how information which he and his defence team have accumulated could be passed to me after his death.

"And I think that's a fairly amazing thing for a man who knows he's dying to do. Right up to the end he was determined - for his family's sake, he knew it was too late for him, but for his family's sake - how the verdict against him should be overturned.

"And also he wanted that for the sake of those relatives who had come to the conclusion after studying the evidence that he wasn't guilty, and I think that's going to happen."

David Ben-Ayreah, a spokesman for the victims of some Lockerbie families, said: "I was told seven days ago by very good sources in Tripoli that he was slipping in and out of quite deep comas, that the secondary tumours had affected his abdomen and lower chest, and that he had had three blood transfusions. His death is to be deeply regretted. As someone who attended the trial I have never taken the view that Megrahi was guilty. Megrahi is the 271st victim of Lockerbie."

Martin Cadman, from Norfolk, whose son Bill died in the flight at the age of 32, said: "The only thing I am interested in is getting to the truth. The Americans know far more than they have said. A lot of evidence pointed to the fact that the Americans knew that the attack was coming. They needed someone to blame and the finger fell on Megrahi, but I think he is innocent. I don't believe it was the work of one man alone."

Susan Cohen, whose daughter Theodora, 20, was on board Pan Am flight 103 bound for John F Kennedy airport in New York when it exploded over Lockerbie, said she hoped Megrahi had died "a painful, horrible death".

Speaking from her home in New Jersey, Mrs Cohen, 74, said she believed Megrahi should have received the death penalty.

"He died with his family around him. My daughter died a horrible death when she was 20 years old with her full life ahead of her. You call that justice?

"I feel no pity for Megrahi, I believe he should have died a lot sooner. He should have been tried in the States and given the death penalty. Watching him be released from prison was very painful for me."

Mrs Cohen said questions still remain about how the bombing happened and who was involved. "I think this was to do with deals in the dust and it is despicable. We cannot let Megrahi's death stand in the way of the Scottish and American government finding out who else was involved in the bombings and the specifics of how it was done. I don't believe conspiracy theories that Megrahi was innocent."