The Scottish government defended their decision, Monday, to release the Lockerbie bomber last week.

Scotland released convicted terrorist Abdel Baset al-Megrahi to Libya on compassionate grounds because he is dieing of prostate cancer.

Though the nation has received criticism from the U.S., Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said his decision "was not based on political, economic or diplomatic considerations."

"This was my decision and my decision alone," he said. "I stand by it and I live with the consequences."
    
The Scottish government also said Libya broke their promise of a low-key return. Instead, hundreds greeted al-Megrahi in Libya with waving flags and cheers.

Labour legislator Iain Gray told the parliament Scottish people were ashamed "to see our flag flying to welcome a convicted bomber home."

"Last week, the Scottish government made a wrong decision in the wrong way with the wrong consequences," he said.

In 1988, al-Megrahi killed 270 people by blowing up Pam-Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.

His release has created world-wide outrage and criticism of the Scottish government.