A debate is currently raging in The Times about the Government’s handling of the release of the Libyan Bomber. Today, the Education Secretary told reporters: “I have to say that none of us wanted to see the release of al-Megrahi,”. But rewind to Saturday, when the Prime Minister told reporters he “respected” the decision of the Scottish Executive to free the man convicted of killing all 243 passengers and 16 crew members on Pan Am Flight 103, and 11 in the Scottish town of Lockerbie.
Why the contradiction? Two reasons. First, the Government is trying to maintain cordial relations with Libya, for economic and security reasons. Second, the Government is trying to maintain cordial relations with America, for economic and security reasons. Their strategy of issuing mixed messages may not be entirely successful. Early evidence of is that Libyan Leader Col. Gadaffi’s son is quoted today as calling British MPs “disgusting”. Some of the reactions from Times readers to Ed Balls’ statement speak for themselves: “(The lot of them have) All the communication skills of a sewage outlet pipe.” and “If this government were a boxer we’d say its legs had gone; it’s reeling all round the ring.” If ever there was evidence that a consistent, clear message is essential to strong public confidence this is it.
Tags: Ed Balls, Gadaffi, Lockerbie, Media, Prime Minister
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