Why we need a public inquiry into Crown Office and Lockerbie

Two weeks on but a year later, I am hopeful that these remarks will spur on the renewed criminal investigation. I am hopeful that both of Scotland's governments will work together with the new Libyan government to pursue any new lines of inquiry.

The Lord Advocate has already met with officials in Libya and is working closely with the US authorities.

But the rigorous criminal investigation into the Lockerbie bombing must run tandem to an independent public inquiry into the conduct of the Crown Office in its prosecution of the Lockerbie case. If the SNP is as passionate about the integrity of Scotland's justice system as I am then it is only right that it takes the steps needed to shine a light on the conduct of the Crown Office.

The Lockerbie prosecution was considered by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC) over five years ago. The SCCRC is part of our justice system so it cannot be easily dismissed by anyone. It found six separate grounds on which it concluded a miscarriage of justice may have occurred. For as long as questions remain around possible miscarriages of justice undertaken by the Crown Office, Scotland's justice system is shadowed by claims of disrepute.

I want the opportunity to clear this up. An independent inquiry, separate of the Crown Office, is needed. And the Scottish Government must take the lead. This is not just about the conviction of an individual; this is about the conduct of the Crown Service. It is a matter which the Scottish Government has the competence to investigate.

This is not just about guilt or innocence of Megrahi. It is about something much more. It is also about the conduct of the Crown Office. Surely, a liberal society should be prepared to look hard at its justice system, even if it is worried about what it might find. Whether or not that is determined surely cannot be left in the hands of a family somewhere in Tripoli. If the First Minister chose to act on the inquiry, he would have the support of Desmond Tutu, Terry Waite, John Pilger and many others.

This is not a normal case; it is Scotland's biggest terrorist atrocity. These are serious questions that have been raised by serious people, and the world is watching.

I was surprised when the Scottish Parliament's Justice Convenor responded to my calls for an independent inquiry into the Lockerbie prosecution with a selective reading of the 2005 Inquiries Act. I hope that Ms Grahame will accept that under Section 1 of the Act, Scottish Ministers can hold an inquiry in relation to a case where it appears to him that particular events have caused, or are capable of causing, public concern.

That is what strikes me. That is what also struck the 42 esteemed signatories including Kate Adie, Noam Chomsky and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. It would be unfathomable in any other set of circumstances to leave public concerns surrounding the future reputation of Scotland's Crown Service to a family in Tripoli.

With the death of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the publication of John Ashton's book Megrahi: You are my Jury – The Lockerbie Evidence and the compelling calls for a public inquiry by eminent international voices now is the time for the Scottish Government to act.

With the Lockerbie prosecution, so much doubt remains over the break-in at Heathrow where the luggage from Flight 103 was in transit, queries over the identification of Megrahi by the Malta shopkeeper and other important matters.

We need to be sure that the Crown Office and the police did everything they should have done and, if they didn't, there needs to be consequences and change.

I don't think an investigation into the conduct of our prosecuting services should be dependent on whether Megrahi's family decides to appeal. It's important for all of us to identify weaknesses in the system.

Beginning a new year I am hopeful that we will learn much more about the full truth of the Lockerbie bombing. It would also seem that our Lord Advocate and both of Scotland's governments are working together to advance the renewed criminal investigation.

I remain disappointed at the lack of impetus from the Scottish Government to clear the question marks which loom over the Crown Office around the handling of the Lockerbie case. Camp Zeist was the most high-profile case our justice system had undertaken. It was trailed throughout the world's press. Readers all over the globe will have read daily accounts of proceedings of the Scottish Court in a foreign country. We should take every step necessary to remove the millstone which hangs around its neck in the form of the six separate grounds which could all constitute a miscarriage of justice.

That tag is one which no modern, liberal democracy should let linger. Regardless of where the path may lead, Alex Salmond must be brave and shine a light. The First Minister has previously said he would be prepared to cooperate with a UK inquiry. If he has no objection to an inquiry in principle, and this group wants a Scottish inquiry, will he agree to hold it?

Twenty-four years on from this shocking tragedy so many questions remain casting doubt. I have a wish. My wish is that when we reach the 25-year mark a public inquiry is under way and we are closer to discovering the answers to those questions.