Bomber transfer worries parents.

Byline: Dave Black 

PARENTS of a North East lecturer who died in the Lockerbie bombing last night voiced their concerns over a bid to transfer the man convicted of the atrocity to a prison in Libya.

Jean Berkley, 78, and her husband Barrie, 80, of Hexham, Northumberland - whose son Alistair, 29, was among the 270 people who died 20 years ago - said they want to see an appeal by Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi continue and be concluded.

The couple are hoping that the hearing, which started at the Appeal Court in Edinburgh last week, will reveal new information about who was responsible for blowing up Pan Am Flight 103 from London to New York over the Scottish village in December 1988.

Alistair was one of the 259 passengers killed in the atrocity, which also claimed the lives of 11 people on the ground, and Mrs Berkley is co-ordinator of the UK Families Flight 103 group.

Yesterday, it emerged that the Libyan authorities have made an application to the Scottish government which could result in Megrahi being sent home. It follows last week's ratification of a prisoner transfer agreement between the British and Libyan governments.

Megrahi, who has terminal prostate cancer, is in Greenock Prison serving a life sentence with a minimum of 27 years. His second appeal against conviction began last week, but it must be dropped if his transfer to a Libyan jail is to take place.

Last night Mrs Berkley said Lockerbie families were hoping that Megrahi's appeal hearing would provide new information about the atrocity, and this was now threatened by the transfer application.

"Megrahi has to decide whether to abandon his appeal and then Scottish ministers have to decide on this transfer application. Our feeling is that it is all very suspicious because we know there are many unanswered questions. We were looking forward to hearing his defence case." A Scottish Government spokesman said the Libyan application would be considered by officials, who will provide information and advice to Scottish ministers for a decision..

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PARENTS Jean and Barrie Berkley.