POLICE investigating the Lockerbie Jumbo jet bombing, in which 270
people were killed, last night criticised a book about the disaster,
describing some of its conclusions as ''outrageous.''
Scotland's Lord Advocate joined the attack, saying the book ''contains
elements of truth along with much which is inaccurate or speculative.''
The criticism was aimed at journalist Mr David Johnston's book,
Lockerbie: The Real Story, which says the disaster jet was carrying five
American Central Intelligence Agency men who had with them top secret
plans for a possible attempt to rescue US hostages in Beirut.
The author says CIA men disguised as engineers from the jet's owners,
Pan American airlines, scoured the countryside round the town after the
disaster in search of debris which they tested before putting back on
the hillside, where police could re-discover it and deal with it as a
piece of evidence.
Dumfries and Galloway Chief Constable George Esson, who is in charge
of the investigation, said last night that much of the book was
inaccurate ''or simply untrue.''
He went on: ''I will not lend any credibility to the book by
discussing individual claims or conclusions, except to say that some are
totally outrageous.
''It is to be regretted that publication of this book will undoubtedly
add to or renew the trauma and suffering experienced by the relatives
and victims of PanAm Flight 103.
''The only authoritative sources of information are the Lord Advocate
and myself.
''I am not prepared to divert the resources of this criminal
investigation in order to respond to, or publicise material, which is so
widely off the mark that it is offensive to those who have given us
tireless and expert assistance.''
The Lord Advocate, Lord Fraser of Carmyllie, said in a statement the
book ''contains elements of truth along with much which is inaccurate or
speculative.
''I can make no further comment on the book, except to state that my
overriding objective remains to establish the true facts of the
circumstances surrounding this appalling criminal act, and the bringing
of the perpetrators to justice.
''I want to emphasise this determination to the relatives of the
victims of PA 103, and to make the point that no matter what theories
may be in circulation the truth behind this crime will only be revealed
through the painstaking and meticulous investigative work of the
agencies of the three countries involved.
''This will continue relentlessly in the interests of justice.''
Mr Johnston, whose book is to be published on Monday, says the key
piece of evidence was the remains of a suitcase belonging to one of the
five men, Major Charles Dennis McKee. He was ''immersed in a top secret
Middle East mission,'' the books says.
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