Police to continue search for Lockerbie accomplices

The chief constable of the police force investigating the Lockerbie atrocity said today they would continue to search for the convicted bomber's accomplices.

Dumfries and Galloway Police Chief Constable Patrick Shearer said officers are following new lines of inquiry after Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi's dropped his appeal against conviction.

The former Libyan intelligence officer was found guilty of murdering 270 people when Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over the town of Lockerbie in December 1988.

Mr Shearer said: "The case remains open and Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary continue to work closely with Crown Office.

"Throughout the investigation we have, at various times, conducted reviews of the evidence as a whole in an attempt to identify further lines of inquiry that may be explored.

"Now that Mr Megrahi has decided to abandon his appeal against conviction a further review of the case is under way in respect of others who acted with him in the murder of 270 people.

"Reports of the police investigation being re-launched are inaccurate. The work that is being undertaken is the latest in a series of reviews which have formed part of an investigative strategy in keeping with our determination to pursue every possible lead.

"We also take cognisance of the trial Court's acceptance of Crown's position that Mr Megrahi acted in furtherance of the Libyan Intelligence Service and did not act alone."

It is understood Detective Chief Inspector Michael Dalgleish, who was part of the original team that brought the case against Mr Megrahi, is heading the investigation which includes a review of forensic evidence.

Four detectives are thought to be working on the case full-time.

The Crown Office has e-mailed British relatives informing them that investigations are continuing.

Lindsey Miller, a senior Procurator Fiscal who was involved in preparing evidence for Mr Megrahi's trial, wrote: "Throughout the investigation we have, at various times, taken stock of the evidence as a whole with a view to identifying further lines of inquiry that can be pursued.

"Now that the appeal proceedings are at an end a further review of the case is under way and several potential lines of inquiry, both through a 'desktop' (paper) exercise and consultation with forensic science colleagues are being considered.

"You will of course appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to elaborate on these lines but please be assured that this is not simply paying lip service to the idea of an 'open case'."

Pamela Dix, who lost her brother Peter in the bombing, said: "As far as we understand it there are avenues which are being pursued, and I think that should be interpreted as a good thing.

"Expectations around Megrahi's appeal were really quite high but hopes were profoundly dashed when the appeal was abandoned.

"The situation is unresolved and it is unfinished business."

Jim Swire, who lost his daughter Flora, said that, if there is really going to be a meaningful investigation, then that is all well and good and long overdue. "I would be all for it," said Dr Swire, adding that "if it is just a dodge to prevent an investigation into why the lives of those killed were not protected then I would be livid".

Former FBI agent Richard Marquise, who was involved in the original investigation, told the BBC`s Politics Show: "I know that the case has been pending for the last 21 years and if there is an opportunity to get additional evidence to bring additional people into the frame, to bring them in the dock - I know that was something both the FBI and police in Scotland have been looking at for the past 20 years.

"Mr Megrahi did not do this alone, it was ordered from above. There probably were people that worked with him, people that were involved in the bombing effort itself.

"We always hoped that those people, their names, would be-come clearer and they could be identified and eventually prosecuted. Thus far that hasn't happened."

Mr Megrahi, 57, who has terminal cancer, is the only man to be convicted of the bombing. He was released on compassionate grounds from Greenock Prison in August and returned to Libya.