http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-New ... 5450?f=rss

Looks like the government is trying to bring this matter to a head and a close - there's probably documents ready to come out or something anyway

Surprise: 0%
Dismay: 100%
Cynicism: 100%

+1.

Yay, the Government have actually tried to do something about the rising oil price!

Erm, this is a complete non-story.

Firstly, he wasn't released as part of the agreement.

Secondly, the Scottish government would have had a veto over any decision to release him under the agreement.

So what is the problem, exactly??

It's all because they finally got round to making a comment on Wednesday that said it was all to do with the Scots while denying that Gordon or trade had anything to do with it, and that, actually, it was all about justice. Or at least that's the impression they were trying to give, it's hard to tell with government/(prime) ministers' statements

But now you have Jack Straw saying that, yes, oil was a big consideration - my guess being that we'll see new allegations in tomorrow's news like we did last Sunday - I suspect he's trying to take the initial sting out of something...

I don't agree though.

Yes, this prisoner agreement is in place. It doesn't, however mean the Libyans can have anyone released at any time. They have to apply for release, and there are usually conditions applied (serving the rest of the prison term in Libya for example).

The Libyans never even applied for this guy to be released, the Scots decided it would be the best thing to do.

I guess, in the grand scheme of things, that is the main problem - all the backroom dealing, Straw now saying that oil was a big consideration, the PM's cosy chats with the Bob Dylan lookalike, the FO's little letters and representations to the Scots... And it took them all days and weeks to get their stories straight, seemingly. Why, is what people want to know. Specifically the press with it's need to sell papers and ads

All at a time where Parliament is in recess, thus avoiding any really knotty questions at PMQs. The timetable for this was well planned.

^ That's what I'd have thought too.

PMQs aren't suitable for this sort of scrutiny, PMQs is for show-boating. Written Parliamentary answers are far more useful.

Has anyone made any FOI requests yet? They could be even more useful, just for the attention they'd generate with a snub if nothing else

Private Eye loves a good FOI request, but I think they were focused on the somewhat dodgy proceedings around the original conviction IIRC

My personal opinion is that the Scots chose to do this themselves. I also think they're probably loving the fact that they've dropped the folks in Westminster in hot water.

Peerages for all

Yes, I suspect you're right about the Scot ministers having a good chuckle at the English misfortune, but I don't think the Scottish public are too happy about the overall outcome

It just highlights the need for an election now, this government has lost everything that made them a representative of the people. They can't even let the devolved scottish government make a decision without getting a backlash nevermind make a decision on thier own.