Goldie says Salmond must come clean

At First Minister's Questions, Alex Salmond refused to answer questions about a meeting he had with the Qatari Government, during which both trade and the release of the Lockerbie bomber were discussed.

Annabel Goldie MSP, the Scottish Conservative Leader, said, "I asked the First Minister whether, in all his Government's dealings with Arab states, seeking money for his Scottish Futures Trust, the issue of Mr al-Megrahi's release ever came into play or was raised in any form. He completely failed to answer this question."

The Scottish Conservative Leader highlighted a number of key dates:

• On 11th June 2009 the First Minister met the Qatari Government and discussed trade and Mr. al-Megrahi's release at the same meeting. 
• On 17th July 2009 the Qatari Government wrote to the Scottish Government supporting compassionate release.
• One week later Mr. al-Megrahi applied for compassionate release.

In light of this series of events, she said: "This does not look good.  Alex Salmond needs to say if he is still going to Qatar later this year to ask for money.  He must also publish all the correspondence, notes and minutes of meetings and the details of all proposed meetings between the Scottish Government and Arab states. Anything less and suspicions will remain."