Celebration of Lockerbie bomber's release was 'grotesque', says Sturgeon
The former First Minister opened up on her personal concerns about the release of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the only person convicted of the Lockerbie bombing, and said the Cabinet was not consulted.
She heavily criticised the way the decision was made by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill without consultation from other ministers.
He was freed from Greenock prison eight years into a life sentence in 2009 on compassionate grounds because of his terminal prostate cancer, and lived in Libya until his death in 2012.
Ms Sturgeon said the decision 'sent shockwaves' across Scotland, the UK and much of the world and that 'had the political dynamic in Scotland been different, I have no doubt it would have brought us down'.
She said: 'Had I been asked to take a decision based on my personal views, I would have decided against Megrahi's release or transfer.'
While Mr MacAskill was responsible for the decision, Ms Sturgeon said it was 'inconceivable' to her that the Cabinet would not be consulted given the magnitude of what was being decided.
She said Mr MacAskill's decision to visit Megrahi in jail 'astounded me' and said she first became aware of an imminent decision through a BBC news story.
She said she had called Alex Salmond about the story and he implied he was 'surprised' and not in the loop because Mr MacAskill was the decision-maker - but she said she 'didn't believe him'.
On Mr MacAskill's statement to parliament confirming the decision, Ms Sturgeon said: 'Kenny's intonation in making the statement made it sound like he was reading a bedtime story.'
Ms Sturgeon then goes on to recount the scenes as Megrahi touched down in Tripoli, where he appeared at the door of the plane with his arm held aloft by one of Gadaffi's sons.
She described how Megrahi was treated 'like a conquering war hero returning from battle', as the convicted mass murderer was greeted by a large crowd, many waving saltires as they expressed their gratutude for the decision made in Scotland. She added: 'It was grotesque.'
She went on to state she could have resigned given her misgivings 'and did consider it' but opted to accept collective responsibility and rowed in behind Mr MacAskill.
However, Mr MacAskill has repeatedly rubihsed the autobiography since details from it emerged, stating Ms turgeon 'is seeking to rewrite history and distorting the truth'.
In 2009 Ms Sturgeon commented on the release of Megrahi, stating Mr MacAskill had 'made a brave and difficult decision'.
Her comments were made after a poll showed 69 per cent of Scots believed the country's reputation was diminished in the eyes of the world because of the decision to release the bomber.
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