UK families updated on progress with Lockerbie investigation
CROWN OFFICE AND PROCURATOR FISCAL SERVICE
22 February 2012
NEWS RELEASE
UK FAMILIES UPDATED ON PROGRESS WITH LOCKERBIE INVESTIGATION
Today the Lord Advocate, Frank Mulholland QC, and the Chief Constable of Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary, Pat Shearer, together with Scottish prosecutors and Scottish and US law enforcement met with the UK families of the Lockerbie victims in London.
The purpose of the meeting was to update the families on progress in the ongoing criminal investigation. The families were advised that a formal request has been drawn up and sent to the new Libyan Government requesting access to Libya for police officers and prosecutors to examine information and documents relating to lines of enquiry.
As this remains a joint investigation, both Scottish and US investigators were heavily involved in preparing the request.
A further meeting with other UK families is scheduled to take place in the near future in Glasgow.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The meeting was held in London and concluded a short time ago.
2. Formal requests for legal assistance in criminal investigations are sent by means of International Letter of Request (ILOR) between Governments. As a matter of practice, ILORs are confidential.
3. The Libyan NTC has confirmed to the UK Government that it will assist the ongoing criminal investigation. In September 2011, a spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "NTC Chairman Abdul Jalil has assured the Prime Minister that the new Libyan authorities will co-operate with the UK in this."
4. The Lord Advocate met with US families on 21 December 2011 following the memorial ceremony at Arlington.
5. As the investigation remains live, and in order to preserve the integrity of that investigation, it would not be appropriate to offer further comment.
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