Then, that december, an englishman named jim swire came to tripoli. Jim swire, whose daughter flora was killed on flight 103, has devoted. Towards the latter part of 1999, i was asked to attend at dumfries police station, to give a statement to the procurator fiscal regarding my duties. Its only after the bodies are returned that the families. You are my jury has raised new doubts about abdelbaset almegrahis conviction for the bombing of the pan am bombing above lockerbie in 1988. Was terry waite freed as part of secret lockerbie deal with iran. The book, first published in 1961, has recently been republished with a foreword by jane swire, jim swire. A beautiful book about the famous scottish island isle of sky, written by the grandmother of flora swire, who lost her life on pan am 103 in 1988. Heres a short selection from the many personalities who appear in our book. Her father killed, his family torn apart by tragedy. Mckie, on the other hand, while expressing his hope that one day a line can be drawn under lockerbie, sees himself and jfm, which includes jim swire, an english doctor who lost his daughter in. Jim swire s trip to egypt in april 1998 april 151998 dr.
Abebooks uniqueness is our network of independent booksellers who work with us to provide the most diverse selection of rare, used and outofprint books on the internet. Why lockerbie still matters will be published by birlinn on 3 october. Acclaimed film director jim sheridan wants oscar winner gary oldman to star as dr jim swire in his tv drama about the lockerbie bombing the awardwinning irish filmmaker is. His daughter flora was murdered in the lockerbie bombing in 1988. Dr jim swire is a prominent lockerbie truth campaigner but theres more to the man than that, as michael russell found out obviously, inevitably, we talk about lockerbie. Jim swire stands in front of a painting june 25, 2000. Now your book reinforces the knowledge that we do know what didnt. On the morning of the book s publication, announced at edinburghs 2012 international book. Revealingly, jim swire, an english doctor who lost his daughter on pam am 103, has devoted the last three decades to lockerbie victims advocacy, becoming over time a. Was terry waite freed as part of secret lockerbie deal. This is a collection of books on the topic of the crash of pan am 103, the lockerbie.
The world, in words megrahi, who died in may this year, was released on compassionate grounds from scottish prison in. Swire lobbied toward a solution for the difficulties in bringing suspects in the original bombing to trial, and later advocated for the retrial and release of abdelbaset almegrahi, the. Lockerbie an open letter from dr jim swire intel today. The lockerbie trial is the most disgraceful miscarriage of justice in scotland for 100 years. Dr jim swire, who lost his 23yearold daughter flora in the lockerbie bombing of 1988, recalls the harrowing task of a fathers final farewell. News uk home news flora was a real seeker after truth herself. Jane and jim swire the lockerbie campaign will continue. Since losing his beloved daughter flora in that atrocity almost 25 years ago, dr jim swire. All 259 passengers and crew, and 11 lockerbie residents were killed. Abdelbaset almegrahi remains the only person ever convicted in connection with the bombing, but many. Indeed, the written opinion of the lockerbie judges is a remarkable document that claims an honoured place in the history.
Herbert swire born 1936, best known as jim swire, is an english doctor best known for his involvement in the aftermath of the 1988 bombing of pan am flight 103, in which his daughter flora was killed. What follows is an article on the establishment of the camp zeist trial written by professor robert black. This is the headline over an item posted today on jim swire and peter biddulphs lockerbie truth blog. Jane and jim swire the mystery surrounding fragment pt35b was examined in great detail by investigative author john ashton in his 2012 book megrahi. Swire recently left his medical practice in order to attend the trial in the netherlands fulltime. Jim swire wont although doggedly determined, swire lacks a highprofile backer in parliament and as lockerbie receeds from the publics. Jim sheridan plans film about lockerbie bombing film. A deathbed farewell to abdelbaset ali mohmed almegrahi. Lockerbie is just a small item now in peoples memories, says swire. On this day in 1988, 21st of december, a terrorist bomb destroyed flight pan am 103 during its journey from heathrow airport in the uk to new york. Apr 27, 2017 lockerbie an open letter from dr jim swire posted on april 27, 2017 by l the lockerbie trial is the most disgraceful miscarriage of justice in scotland for 100 years. The bombing of pan am flight 103 over the small scottish town of lockerbie in december 1988 was one of the most notorious acts of terrorism in recent history. Dec 14, 20 the lockerbie bombing remains the single biggest act of terrorism committed in the uk.
Jim swire, whose daughter died in the lockerbie bombing, believes libya was wrongly blamed for the atrocity in secret deal with. He was the solicitor researcher and investigator and i think knows most about this disaster with people like jim swire, the father of flora who sadly died in the disaster. New york university press, washington square, ny 3. But lockerbie, dornstein told me recently, was a murder mystery. The following is an extract from chapter 7 the ladys not for remembrance of dr jim swires upcoming book lockerbie soon to be made into a feature film by producerdirector jim sheridan which identified a lockerbie lacuna in mrs thatchers memoirs the downing street years. Jim swire, whose daughter flora was killed in the atrocity, said kusa was at the. Also, and highly significant in my view, megrahi abandoned his second appeal knowing that the effect of that abandonment was that he would remain guilty of the lockerbie bombing. The explosive publication of john ashtons book, megrahi. Their 23 year old daughter flora was on board pan am flight 103 when it blew up over lockerbie, scotland almost 11 years ago. Lockerbie bomber may have been victim of miscarriage of.
Richard marquise fbi agent who led the us side of the lockerbie investigation i regard the lockerbie verdict against megrahi as a grand monument to human stupidity. The cohens said in their book that swire had praised a book project, which became trail of the octopus. Lockerbie bomber abdelbaset almegrahi may have been victim. Herbert jim swire is a british doctor who is best known for his involvement in the aftermath of the 1988 lockerbie bombing, in which his daughter flora was killed. On 21 december 1988, n739pa, the aircraft operating the transatlantic leg of the route was destroyed by a bomb, killing all 243 passengers and 16 crew in what became known as the lockerbie bombing. Lockerbie bomber abdelbaset almegrahi may have been. The edinburgh international book festival ltd is a scottish charity sc010120 and a limited company registered in scotland no 79939 and has its registered office at 5a charlotte square, edinburgh, eh2 4dr. Jim swire and his wife jane comfort each other at their home in the outskirts of birmingham near lockerbie, scotland june 25, 2000. Prosecutor reaffirms megrahi guilt over lockerbie itv news. Jim swire, in green square, tripoli, doesnt believe.
Jim swire is a writer, known for lockerbie, the maltese double cross 1994 and frontline 1983. Lockerbie bombing conviction crumbling, says jim swire. Lockerbie is known for one night, but people have been here for 6,000 years, said joanne dalgleish, a steward at dryfesdale lodge, a visitors center which stands outside the memorial. Tam dalyell, mp in the house of commons, london, 26 march 2002, referred to mary boylan. Jim swire today, left, and jim and wife jane holding photo of flora. We intend to ensure with the help of prominent friends from around the world that the lockerbie verdict will prove to be a disastrous miscarriage of justice. Recorded on september 11, 2009 with elizabeth palmer, foreign correspondent who covers iran and the middle east for major us network cbs news. The official case against abdelbaset almegrahi, the only man convicted of the lockerbie bombing, is crumbling, according to the father of one of the victims. Herbert swire born 1936, best known as jim swire, is an english doctor best known for his. The scottish government has quietly shelved for at least a year its controversial criminal justice scotland bill, heading off an escalating row over the need for corroboration before. I remember the hair on the back of my neck standing up the first time somebody in the media actually said the word murder, these people were murdered.
When the kids were very young, i wrote a book about davids brief life, but id largely put my questions about. Lockerbie shuns limelight as libya unravels fox news. Jim swire, the man who never gave up county gp dr jim swire s commitment to exposing lax airport security once led him to smuggle a. Scottish prosecutors to interview defecting libyan foreign. In this keynote discussion ashton is joined by jim swire, whose daughter flora was killed in the tragedy, and by hans kochler, the uns official. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids. Mar 11, 2020 dr jim swire, father of flora swire who was 23 when she died in the bombing supported the application to appeal the conviction of abdelbaset almegrahi over the lockerbie atrocity. Without pt35b, there would have been no indictment. It was suggested to thatcher that they be put under observation. Lockerbie an open letter from dr jim swire posted on april 27, 2017 by l the lockerbie trial is the most disgraceful miscarriage of justice in scotland for 100 years. The website of dr jim swire and lockerbie researcher peter biddulph, in the case of abdel baset almegrahi, convicted in 2000 for the lockerbie bombing.
Mr megrahi contends that he has been the victim of a miscarriage of justice. Scottish politician michael russell wrote a biography of jim swire in august 20 dr jim swire. Lawyer hits out at british state over lockerbie papers refusal. When the cohens discovered that lester coleman was the author, they told swire to have a suspicion about the project.
The device on board pan am flight 103 from london to new york exploded over the small town in the scottish. Lawyer hits out at british state over lockerbie papers. The website of dr jim swire and lockerbie researcher peter biddulph, in the case of abdel baset almegrahi, convicted in 2000 for the lockerbie bombing key elements of the lockerbie case terrorists who bombed pan am 103 over lockerbie on 21st december 1988 murdered two hundred and seventy passengers, crew and folk of the quiet scottish town of. Dr jim swire has written the foreword to a new book to be launched today called scotlands shame. Qabel il verdet before the verdict, released in 2000. Jim swire is a man that doesnt give neither in nor up. The website of dr jim swire and lockerbie researcher peter biddulph, in the case of abdel baset almegrahi, convicted in 2000 for the lockerbie bombing our book. Read prosecutor reaffirms megrahi guilt over lockerbie latest on itv news. Video dr jim swire on the death of megrahi lockerbie. Debris from the plane had spread so widely that the crime scene spanned nearly nine hundred square miles. One day after the lockerbie explosion she walked upon the field where lay the crushed. This is a collection of books on the topic of the crash of pan am 103, the lockerbie bombing trial, the victims and much more. It was previously published in a maltese book edited by joe mifsud lockerbie.
Controversy continues over the release of abdelbaset. In this keynote discussion ashton is joined by jim swire. Jim swire stands in front of a painting june 25, 2000 in his home outside birmingham, uk, of his 23 year old daughter flora who was on board pan am flight 103 when it blew up over lockerbie, scotland almost 11 years ago. Jim swire stepping back from lockerbie fight uk news. Director of lockerbie tv drama bids for oscar winner gary. Oct 04, 20 jim swire stepping back from lockerbie fight the father of a lockerbie bombing victim has announced he is to step back from the campaign to uncover the full facts about the tragedy. From intelligence services we heard statements designed to mislead the court. On the morning of the books publication, announced at edinburghs 2012 international book. The grim cascade of death from pan am flight 103 left a trail of wreckage across 800 square miles of southern scotland and northern england. Megrahis second appeal was expected to be heard at the court of criminal appeal in 2009.
Dr jim swire last week came face to face with abdelbaset ali mohmed al megrahi, the libyan convicted of killing 270 people in the lockerbie bombing in 1988. In addition, scores of news articles and stories have been published in recent days that revisit that horrible winter night in 1988, how lockerbie has changed since the pan am disaster, and what the families of the victims and the people of lockerbie are doing today to keep the memory of the victims alive taken together, they provide literally hundreds of images and. Margaret thatcher tried to limit lockerbie bombing compo. You are my jury, published in the same year, argued his case for appeal, and a justice for megrahi group including the author james robertson and dr jim swire, the father of one of the victims continues to campaign against his conviction. Here her mother talks for the first time about how anguish and guilt. Dec 21, 2018 on december 21, 198830 years ago todaypan am flight 103 dropped from the night sky killing 270 people, including all 259 of its passengers and crew and 11 people on the ground in the small town of lockerbie, scotland, which lies 120km southwest of glasgow. Jim swire speaks about the mysteries surrounding the lockerbie disaster in the hours of the first news of the lockerbie murders, some relatives flocked to the town in vain hope of. Jim swire wont ease up in campaign to find out who murdered his daughter in lockerbie.
Dr jim swire, father of flora swire who was 23 when she died in the bombing supported the application to appeal the conviction of abdelbaset almegrahi over the lockerbie atrocity. This year marks two very significant milestones for swire. Will we finally discover the truth about lockerbie. Since losing his beloved daughter flora in that atrocity almost 25 years ago, dr jim swire has thought about little else. Another 11 perished in their homes when wreckage from pan am flight 103 hit the scottish village of lockerbie 30 years ago this month. The issue has never gone quiet, and in particular a group of relatives of the victims, headed by dr jim swire, has never accepted the verdict against megrahi. Jim swire is agonising over what to say on saturday in his address to a packed westminster abbey, marking the 25th anniversary of the lockerbie bombing. Dec 10, 2008 twenty years today, pam am flight 103 while flying over the small town of lockerbie in scotland was blown up by a bomb, scotlands worst incident of mass murder and as it would turn out possibly the longest and most complicated case of injustice for the victims, their bereaved families and those accused of the bombing. Mar 01, 2010 from lockerbie to zeist via tripoli, tunis and cairo note. Mar 31, 2011 kusas defection was earlier described as a great day for relatives of those killed in the lockerbie bombing. Dr jim swire s comments came as the fallout continued from the first extracts. My life without flora on the day before her 24th birthday flora swire was killed when panam flight 103 blew up over lockerbie. The scottish government is poised to decide whether to allow the former libyan agent convicted of the 1988 lockerbie bombing. Relatives of lockerbie victims say theyre delighted by identification of two new libyan suspects over 1988 bombing that killed 270.
Swire lobbied toward a solution for the difficulties in bringing suspects in the original bombing to trial, and later advocated for the retrial. The book s author john ashton, biographer of the libyan abdelbaset ali mohmed al megrahi, brands the case the greatest scandal of scotlands postdevolution era. Pan am flight 103 was a regularly scheduled pan am transatlantic flight from frankfurt to detroit via london and new york. Dr jim swire, father of flora swire who was 23 when she died in the bombing supported the application to appeal the conviction of abdelbaset almegrahi over the lockerbie. Manning china cia cia book of honor cia briefing cia director cia.
Pan am flight 103 the reader wiki, reader view of wikipedia. Dec 15, 20 flora was a real seeker after truth herself. The plea made by kate adie, desmond tutu, terry waite, tam dalyell and the father of one of the lockerbie victims, jim swire, among others claimed the perverse judgment had left the scottish criminal justice system a mangled wreck. Sixtime oscar nominee jim sheridan is working on a film about the lockerbie bombing, according to the hollywood reporter the film will cover. Jan 19, 2012 a deathbed farewell to abdelbaset ali mohmed almegrahi grieving father jim swire has made peace with the lockerbie bomber. What is the truth behind uks deadliest terrorist atrocity. The taikoo way swire in china for 150 years is available in shanghai joint publishing bookstores and major online stores nationwide. Swire is a softspoken woman who gives few interviews, but her husband jim has waged an 11year public campaign to keep lockerbie in the public eye and bring the bombers to justice. Its only after the bodies are returned that the families healing can begin dr jim swire, who lost his 23yearold daughter flora in the lockerbie bombing of 1988, recalls the harrowing task. A love born from horror of lockerbie daily mail online.
960 1188 239 69 155 75 1444 710 136 1357 325 745 1021 143 1168 104 581 1496 1331 1529 237 1506 1113 1267 147 958 793 156 1319 520 993 538 764 428 1461 1258 565 801 1104 1474 1120 1280 967 828 1161 1478 197