Footage of dying bomber.

FOOTAGE of the Lockerbie bomber in his hospital bed emerged as the row over his release raged on today.

It followed disclosures that Jack Straw decided two years ago that it was in the UK's "overwhelming interests" not to exclude Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi from a prisoner transfer agreement.

The Justice Secretary wrote to his Scottish counterpart explaining that he had changed his mind about the need to exempt the terrorist from the deal in the light of "wider negotiations" with the Libyans. Questions were also raised about whether Downing Street approved the move to include Megrahi in the agreement.

The footage, broadcast last night, showed the bomber attached to a drip and wearing an oxygen mask. When asked by a reporter if his release was related to an oil deal signed two years ago, he croaked a refusal to answer.

Mr Straw strenuously denied yesterday that Britain's commercial interests had any bearing on the release of Megrahi. But the latest disclosures angered relatives of the victims of the Lockerbie bombing and prompted opposition parties to call for an inquiry.

CAPTION(S):

TERRORIST: Megrahi at his 2002 appeal RELEASED: Abdelbaset Al Megrahi yesterday refused to answer questions about his release

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