Lockerbie Deal Exposes Price of Realism

Britain secures privileged access to Libya’s oil riches; Muammer Gaddafi claims a diplomatic coup on the eve of celebrations to mark his 40 years of autocratic rule; Scotland’s nationalist politicians get to strut their stuff on the international stage. Throw in the recent encounters of senior British politicians with the Libyan leader and his son Saif Gaddafi and you can see why some are shouting conspiracy.

Well, if that was the plan, it has gone badly awry. The return to a hero’s welcome in Libya of the convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi has enraged Washington and shaken the Scottish National party administration in Edinburgh. Colonel Gaddafi, delighting in the discomfort of just about everyone else, looks to be the only winner.