**Relatives of Lockerbie bombing victims are divided over revelations that the man convicted of the atrocity could be freed on compassionate grounds.**The BBC understands Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, is likely to be released next week.
Kathleen Flynn, who lost her son, said the Libyan had shown no compassion for the 270 victims at Lockerbie.
However, Jim Swire, whose daughter was killed, said it was the right thing to do “on reasonable human grounds”.
The Scottish Government is currently considering applications for either Megrahi’s transfer to a Libyan jail or his release.
“I think he is innocent and even if he were not innocent, I still think it’s the right thing to do on compassionate grounds”
Martin Cadman
Victim’s father
The reports that he could be freed on compassionate grounds provoked strong reactions from the families of the victims of the 1988 bombing.
Stephanie Bernstein, who lost her husband Michael, said his release would send a message that terrorism was not taken seriously.
She told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I think it would play right into Colonel Gaddafi’s hands.
“It shows that if you bide your time and if you wait long enough you can be rewarded, and this is what Colonel Gaddafi has done.”
Ms Flynn said Megrahi should “never qualify for anything compassionate”.
“My husband and I went to the trial practically every day for many, many years,” she said.
“We watched all the evidence and there is no question in my mind that this man is guilty.”
However, Mr Swire said he had never been convinced that Megrahi had carried out the bombing.
“The sooner he is back with his family, the better,” he said.
"On reasonable human grounds it is the right thing to do.
“If it’s true that he is to be returned on compassionate grounds, then that would be more to Scotland’s credit than returning him under the prison transfer agreement.”
Martin Cadman, who lost his son Bill, would also support Megrahi’s release.
He said: “I think he is innocent and even if he were not innocent, I still think it’s the right thing to do on compassionate grounds.”
Lockerbie resident Maxwell Kerr, who witnessed the devastation caused by the bombing, said he was also in favour of Megrahi being freed.
“As far as I’m concerned he should be released on compassionate grounds,” he told BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland programme.
However, the Scottish Government stressed that no decision had been made on Megrahi’s application for release.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said he had listened to the representations from everyone “with a legitimate interest”.
‘No decision’
“I now have to reflect,” he said.
"I’m conscious that I have to do that as speedily as possible.
“Clearly he’s terminally ill and there are other factors, but I have made no decision yet.”
Megrahi was convicted of murder in January 2001 at a trial held under Scottish law in the Netherlands.
A first appeal against that verdict was rejected the following year.
However, in 2007 the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission granted him a second appeal.
It subsequently emerged he was suffering from terminal cancer but a bid to have him granted bail was refused.
His second appeal got under way this year. Shortly afterwards applications were made for both his transfer to a Libyan jail and release on compassionate grounds.
He would have to abandon his appeal if he was to be returned to Libya under a prisoner transfer.
However, South of Scotland SNP MSP Christine Grahame predicted that Megrahi’s appeal would continue if he was granted compassionate release.