17/08/2009
The Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson MSP announced today that he had taken a decision not to recall Parliament.
Mr Fergusson said in response to a request by the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats: “I have weighed up all the factors very carefully and have taken the decision not to recall Parliament at this time.
"Any decision regarding the release on compassionate grounds under the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993 or under the Repatriation Agreement with Libya of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi is a matter for Scottish Ministers alone.
"Therefore, in my judgment, it would be more appropriate for the Parliament to consider the matter once a decision has been made by Scottish Ministers.
"Although I have not agreed to a recall at this stage, I would fully expect the Parliament to scrutinise this matter at the earliest opportunity once a decision has been made.
"I intend to ensure that the matter is raised at the next meeting of the Parliamentary Bureau on 25 August. In the meantime, I will review the matter in light of any significant new developments.”
Background
The next Parliamentary Bureau is scheduled for Tuesday 25 August. At that meeting, the Bureau can propose that Parliament considers the matter at the earliest opportunity which is currently 2 September.