Lockerbie parent hails defection

Jim Swire said Moussa Koussa was a man who knew “everything” about the Libyan regime

The Libyan Foreign Minister’s defection was a “great day” for families of those killed in the Lockerbie bombing, according to one victim’s father.

Jim Swire, who lost his daughter Flora, said Moussa Koussa was at the heart of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s government and “could tell us everything”.

A total of 270 people died when Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie in December 1998.

Mr Swire said the relatives of those who died “should be rejoicing”.

Mr Koussa arrived in London on Wednesday saying he was no longer willing to represent the Libyan leader’s regime internationally.

“Koussa was at the centre of Gaddafi’s inner circle,” Mr Swire said.

“This is a guy who knows everything.

“I think this is a fantastic day for those who seek the truth about Lockerbie.”

Mr Swire, who met Mr Koussa during a visit to Libya in 1998, said he was “extremely frightening – more frightening than Gaddafi himself”.

He said: “He was clearly running things.

“If Libya was involved in Lockerbie, he can tell us how they carried out the atrocity and why.

“I would be appalled if by now the Scottish police are not in England interviewing Mr Koussa – it is a great day for us.”

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