'BOYCOTT U.K ON LOCKERBIE'.

Byline: JAMES LYONS 

BRITAIN faces the threat of a US boycott as the Lockerbie backlash grows.

Americans are being urged to cancel trips to the UK and avoid British goods in protest at the release of Abdelbaset Ali Al Megrahi. Internet campaigners are even calling on customers to target banks and oil firm BP. Ministers have stressed the decision to release bomber Megrahi was taken by the independent Scottish administration.

But Libyan officials have claimed his fate formed part of trade talks with Britain. And leader Colonel Moammar Gaddafi thanked Gordon Brown and the Queen for helping bring the release, something furiously denied by No10. A US website set up to campaign for a boycott said the UK Government was guilty for refusing to intervene.

The site, www.boycottscotland.com, said: "We urge all Americans to boycott the United Kingdom and Scotland in full." Andrew Lanza, in the New York State Senate, called on his countrymen to swap Johnnie Walker whisky for US spirits. He said: "Scotland's decision lacks compassion for the victims."

Tourist agency VisitScotland has already received messages from Americans wanting to cancel Scottish holidays.

The whole country could be hit if the campaign takes off. The US is our most profitable tourism market.

CAPTION(S):

FREED Megrahi