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.