
The Bombing of Pan Am 103, review: a story told with restraint, detail, and decency
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 (BBC One) could have started by showing the explosion at 31,000ft over the town of Lockerbie. It could have reconstructed the final seconds aboard the plane. It could have recreated the moment of impact as, in the words of a prosecutor at the trial of the bomber, 'locals felt the heavens cave in'. But it doesn't. This could be for reasons of budget, but it also indicates a level of restraint that is present throughout this sober, painstaking drama.
We do see the devastating aftermath, homes ablaze and streets resembling a war zone. But the emphasis is on the investigation, which began after the bombing that claimed 270 lives, conducted by the Scottish police and the FBI. It ran for years, and the drama also takes its time. It delves into the minutiae, with much time given to tiny but crucial details: identifying fragments of a circuit board, or tracing scraps of clothing to an outfitters in Malta. The drama excels at showing us the sheer scale of the task, with evidence from the plane and its luggage scattered over an 850-mile area. 'If it's not a rock, if it's not growing, then pick it up, bag it, label it. Details make cases,' the senior investigating officer tells his search teams, and we will come to understand the value of that instruction.
A police procedural, then, but also a tribute to the Lockerbie community and the care its residents showed towards the victims. A local woman, Moira Shearer (Phyllis Logan), is among a group of volunteers who return recovered items to the bereaved families. Bagpipers play as the bodies are sent home. The Scottish police are dogged and respectful. The FBI, by contrast, has its fair share of blow-hards. Occasionally, this difference is rammed home in unsubtle style.
At the same time as illustrating the huge scale of the investigation, writer Jonathan Lee concentrates on a few key characters. Chief among them is Ed McClusker, a Scottish detective of quiet decency who is among the first on the scene. He is played by Connor Swindells, an unshowy actor who is exactly right for the part. Peter Mullan brings gravitas as the senior investigating officer, DCS John Orr. On the other side of the Atlantic, Suits star Patrick J Adams plays FBI agent Dick Marquise, who slowly comes to appreciate the fine job that the Scottish force is doing. Rounding out the group is Eddie Marsan as FBI bomb expert Tom Thurman, with a howler of an American accent.
The drama is not overly emotive. Victims' families appear and you will feel enormous sympathy for them, but even the awful plight of Steven McCormick, who lost his parents and younger sister and came to be known in the press as 'the orphan of Lockerbie', doesn't tug at the heart strings as much as it could (if you look up Steven's story and what became of him, it is truly desolating). The script doesn't allow us to become too involved with the individual stories, instead focusing on the relationship between the Scottish police and the FBI, which swings between collaboration and distrust. A supplementary storyline features Kathryn Turman (Merritt Weaver), an American who set up victim-support services for families that are still in use today.
Another recent dramatisation, Lockerbie: a Search for Truth – which starred Colin Firth as bereaved father Dr Jim Swire – was more controversial, airing Swire's theory that Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was framed. The Bombing of Pan Am 103 does not concern itself with that, and pointedly ends with a caption informing viewers that al-Megrahi served less than two weeks in prison for each life lost.

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The Independent
37 minutes ago
- The Independent
Labour MPs push front bench for ‘crackdown' on ‘dodgy' vape and barber shops
Labour MPs have called for a 'crackdown' on 'dodgy' vape, barber and souvenir shops, which a minister warned 'undermine the legitimate' firms on Britain's high streets. Melanie Onn said she 'really must press' the Government for long-term action to tackle these shops, which MPs heard had links to tax evasion and money laundering, and Joe Powell said well-known London streets such as Portobello Road and Notting Hill Gate are 'blighted'. Business and trade minister Gareth Thomas told MPs that the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC) had visited almost 400 premises during a three-week operation in March, freezing several bank accounts. Mr Powell, the MP for Kensington and Bayswater, told the Commons: 'Small businesses across my constituency on our high streets from Earls Court Road to Queensway, Notting Hill Gate and Portobello Road are fed up of being blighted by candy shops, low-grade souvenir shops, Harry Potter shops and, yes, even barber shops, with accusations of VAT and business rates evasion, and even links to money laundering and serious organised crime.' He urged Mr Thomas to say 'what steps' the Government is taking 'to crack down on these operations and create a legitimate level playing field for our small businesses'. The minister replied: 'We've been working with colleagues in the Home Office and the National Crime Agency (NCA) to take action to crackdown on illegitimate businesses that threaten to undermine the legitimate ones that are on all of our high streets. 'In March, the NECC co-ordinated a three-week crackdown against barber shops and other cash-intensive businesses where there were concerns, visiting almost 400 premises, securing freezing orders over a series of bank accounts totalling more than £1 million.' In response, Ms Onn said: 'I really do need to press him because my constituents in Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes are equally as fed up as (Mr Powell) of seeing high streets dominated by dodgy vape shops, unlicensed barbers.' She said 'some of them are legitimate' but asked: 'Is he working closely with the Home Office to try and tackle this blight because I think we probably need a national strategy, not a three-week operation?' Mr Thomas said he recognised 'a concern up and down the country' and added the NCA and Home Office 'are seeking to take action against illegitimate business'. He said a Government commitment to bolster police forces with 13,000 extra officers and special constables, backed by an uplift to forces' 'spending power' of 2.3% per year unveiled in Wednesday's spending review, 'will help'. In a viral video, Conservative shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick claimed 'weird Turkish barber shops' were 'chipping away at society', along with fare evasion, when he caught passengers allegedly 'bumping' London Underground ticket barriers on camera. 'The state needs to reassert itself and go after lawbreakers,' he said. Conservative MP Graham Stuart said that if a book which Labour MP for Central Ayrshire Alan Gemmell is writing were a 'political thriller about fighting for small business', then he was 'sure it features five heroes on the front bench opposite, doing everything they can to promote small business'. Ministers laughed and pointed at Tory MPs when Mr Stuart added: 'Readers will ask 'who is the villain of the piece?'' The Beverley and Holderness MP suggested the villain would be Rachel Reeves, 'the Chancellor of the Exchequer who is doing everything possible to undermine business – 276,000 people having lost work since the autumn statement'. He asked: 'When will the ministers, the heroes of this story, fight against the Chancellor who's getting so much so wrong?' Mr Thomas said: 'It's a little while since I've been called a hero by (Mr Stuart) but I'm glad that I've finally had some recognition from him in that regard. 'I don't think the Chancellor of the Exchequer is a villain at all. 'Indeed, I think the spending review that she announced yesterday will help to unlock investment in our high streets and in our small businesses up and down the country – the record investment in research and development, the record investment in infrastructure, and the additional capacity to the British Business Bank will help to unlock billions of pounds of new investment and many more job opportunities across the country.' Labour former minister Liam Byrne later called for 'a plan to cut industrial energy costs now'. The Commons Business and Trade Committee chairman said: 'As our committee pointed out on Friday, the success of the industrial strategy will depend on a plan to cut industrial energy costs now. 'When the industrial strategy is published, will the Secretary of State reassure us that there will be a plan to ensure that UK energy prices are internationally competitive?' Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds replied: 'The very significant increase in industrial energy prices under the terms of the last government are a significant issue for our competitiveness, and yes, that is something we're seeking to address.'


Daily Mail
37 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Furious Lorraine viewers 'turn off' and swipe 'her days are numbered' after catty remark about Love Islanders' looks and 'cringe' debate
Furious Lorraine viewers 'turned off' and swiped 'her days are numbered' after a catty remark about Love Islanders' looks on Thursday's episode of the ITV show. The 65-year-old returned to our screens for another instalment of the popular early morning programme. Lorraine was joined by Lucie Cave and influencer Emily Clarkson during the show to talk about a segment on the dangers online beauty filters - and they got chatting about ITV2's Love Island. The broadcaster pointed out: 'I'm interested in programmes like Love Island... 'They to me, I have to say I don't watch it necessarily, but I see clips, it's inevitable to see clips. 'They all look the exactly the blinkin' same! From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'I'm like why do you all want to look the same, why do you all want to have that same sort of look about you? 'Children, I mean they are in their 20s, and they're having work done. 'It's heart breaking. It's crazy.' Love Island returned to our screens on Monday for its 12th series, with Maya Jama, 29, as host. The revived series of the show premiered in 2015 and has gone on to become a fan favourite every summer. During Thursday's instalment of Lorraine, some took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts on the episode. After a chat with rapper AJ Tracey, 31, one said: 'Lorraine is so cringey had to turn it off #lorraine.' Another chimed in: 'This interview is just [vomit emoji] get rid of her ffs!' While others said: 'Two voices on #Lorraine that hurt my ears.' '# lorraine Kelly 's days are numbered total fraudster.' It comes after Lorraine fought back the tears as a guest interrupted their interview to pay an emotional tribute to her as a 'friend and ally' on Tuesday's episode of the show. Author Paris Lees, 38, appeared on the ITV programme to chat to the Scottish star, 65, about her new BBC show What It Feels Like For A Girl, which is inspired by her own life. The eight-part series hit our screens on June 3 2025. During her appearance on Lorraine, the pair opened up about how proud she is of the show, but also wanted to thank the broadcaster for all her support towards the transgender community. Paris, who is a trans woman, said to Lorraine: 'We see you and we really appreciate it, you really use your platform for good.' An emotional Lorraine replied: 'You're going to make me cry.' Paris told her: 'Honestly, not everyone is there speaking up for us. We're less than 0.5 percent of the population and we are under attack. 'You are using your platform for good and you are a friend. 'I should have brought some flowers or something. I hereby declare you an honorary diva.' As she wiped a tear from her cheek, Lorraine said: 'I'll take that!' 'We thank you, we thank you,' Paris said. Earlier on in the chat, Paris said: 'This is such a full circle moment for me, because you were so kind about the book last time I was on. 'I know you were saying it's got to be a TV show and now it is a TV show!' Lorraine told her: 'We manifested it, Paris!' Earlier on the chat, Paris said: 'This is such a full circle moment for me, because you were so kind about the book last time I was on. I know you were saying it's got to be a TV show and now it is a TV show!' She continued: 'After I came on your show, did other publicity... 'It sounds like a humble brag, but I did have all these production companies get in contact with me. 'I just thought I'm ready to collapse in a heap, I've done all the photos and everything. 'And then They said do you want to develop it? 'I thought well it's my story, so I'd never done it before, very different type of writing, lots more people giving opinions. 'I'd never written a script before, I'd never had any aspirations or pretentions for writing for television. 'This is my story, I really wanted to rise to the challenge and do it justice. 'Can I tell you Lorraine, it's been so fun.' Her memoir What It Feels Like For A Girl was released in 2021. Earlier this week Lorraine was left squirming after a co-star bluntly asked her 'where have you been? ' After talking about the headlines over in the US, celebrity correspondent for LA Ross King asked her on Monday: 'Apart from all that, what about you, where have you been?!' Lorraine replied: 'Oh I've been in the far north, I've been so far north I nearly came back on myself. I'll tell you all about it. I sadly can't say too much about it now.' It comes after earlier this month Lorraine disappeared from our screens again after ditching her show amid huge cuts. Lorraine airs weekdays from 9am on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.


The Sun
39 minutes ago
- The Sun
I hid in a bush to get bikini shots of pregnant Diana – it's the photo I regret most says The Sun's royal photographer
GLANCING across the polo pitch, Arthur Edwards' eyes land on the golden 'D' hanging around the young woman's neck. He approaches the shy young girl and after asking politely she agrees to pose for a photo, an image that would later go down in history. 11 11 It was the Sun's royal photographer's very first photograph of Lady Diana Spencer, then 19. But rather than hitting the front page, the iconic portrait spent weeks in a drawer. 'Although I was told by royal equerries that Lady Diana Spencer was Prince Charles' new girlfriend, I had a hard time believing it,' Arthur says. 'He was 32 at the time and I remember thinking 'he's not running around with teenagers.'' However, six weeks later and by pure coincidence Arthur had their relationship confirmed. FURIOUS PRINCE Speaking as part of Life Stories, The Sun's YouTube series that features ordinary people who have had extraordinary lives, he explains: 'I was driving along the River Dee up in Balmoral to the Braemar Games and I saw Prince Charles fishing and next to him was Diana Spencer. 'So I jumped out of the car, grabbed the camera and rushed to snap a picture. 'She saw me, she rushed through the bushes. I managed to get a picture of him running up through the woods. 'Prince Charles was angry, god was he angry. He threw the fishing rod down and stormed off. 'The following day we ran the photo I had taken of Diana at the polo on the front page and underneath the headline was 'Lady Diana Spencer, all the qualities to be Queen.'' I was Diana's bodyguard - I know what she would have told Harry before he left & witnessed William's hate for fame It was a career defining moment for Arthur who in half a century on The Sun, Arthur has travelled to 120 countries, taking photos of not just the Royal Family but many of the world's biggest names. But unlike many paps the lorry driver's son, who left school at 15, was as much a hit with his subjects as he was with his editors. Diana once described him as her favourite royal photographer and he was among those who regularly joined Prince Harry for a drink following a royal tour. And last month he was congratulated by Queen Camilla personally when he picked up a Lifetime Achievement gong. Arthur, 84, says that the secret to getting his subjects on side has always been to 'ask nicely.' He explains: 'Most people are nice and if you're pleasant you'll get a similar reception back is what I have always found. 'One of the most iconic photographs I took of Diana in the see-through skirt in 1980 was taken because I travelled to the nursery she was working at and asked her nicely. 'I always say, you get more with sugar than you do with vinegar.' 11 11 11 11 However, Arthur is the first to admit that niceties weren't always part of his nature and that while starting out he took an 'aggressive approach.' 'AGGRESSIVE APPROACH' 'When I started doing the job, I wasn't bothered one way about the Royal Family,' he explains. 'The thing about the newspaper business is you can't come back empty handed, editors don't want excuses, they want pictures. 'So I was aggressive and some of the things I did then I'd be ashamed of today.' Arthur says there is one incident that he particularly regrets from his early career. 'I went to the Bahamas in 1982 while Diana was pregnant with William and photographed her in a bikini on the beach with Charles,' he says. 'There would be uproar over that now. 'It was probably one of the things I regret because they didn't see me as I was hiding in the bushes. 'I got great pictures of course but I got a lot of stick for it. 'The only person who was pleased with the photos was my editor, even the office driver was disgusted with what I had done.' Our royal photographer, who still works full-time at 84, was presented with the first Lifetime Achievement gong at the British Press Awards in May. Arthur, who joined The Sun in December 1974, received it as the biggest names in journalism gathered to salute the best in the business. And Queen Camilla sent a congratulatory message on behalf of King Charles and herself. She said: 'I cannot think of anyone who deserves it more. "Not just for your decades of hard graft and talent, but in recognition of the enduring respect, admiration and affection that I know is felt for you across your whole industry — and indeed across the Royal Household. "For more years than either of us care to remember, you have brought your trademark charm, humour and outstanding skill to countless events.' However, Arthur says that Diana was able to have the last laugh when she eventually confronted him about the photographs on the royal couple's Australian tour the following year. 'During the tour Diana asked me how much I was paid for the pictures and I said, 'nothing, ma'am. I said, I just got expenses like I was doing a court case in Bradford',' he says. 'She smiled and said, 'pass me the Kleenex.' 'She wasn't offended, so I felt a lot better about it after that.' It wasn't just Diana who saw the funny side of some of Arthur's more controversial photos. 'I remember one occasion when I was photographing a young Charles leaving a polo match in the late 70s. I caught the back of his head which showed his bald spot,' Arthur says. While I was no superfan of the monarchy when I started out, as I spent more time with Charles I realised he was something very special Arthur Edwards 'The following Wednesday, I'm at another polo match at Windsor and his security told me that Charles wanted a word with me. 'He asked me if I was the man who had taken the photo and then asked me how many people had seen it. 'When I told him the paper readership was around seven or eight million he said 'oh my God, that's why everyone is taking a photo of the back of my head wherever I go!'' That was Arthur's first conversation with the now King, and the pair have gone on to have many more since with the photographer one of the monarch's greatest champions. KING'S CHAMPION 'While I was no superfan of the monarchy when I started out, as I spent more time with Charles I realised he was something very special,' Arthur says. 'Over the years I have observed him truly throw himself into his environmental and charity work with real passion. 'And so when he faced criticism from a government minister and Mr Murdoch asked me to write an opinion piece on our then future monarch I gladly did it. 11 11 'I highlighted all the good he did and he must have seen it because our relationship changed over time. 'I became a tremendous supporter of him from that onwards and ultimately so did the paper. 'He was no longer the playboy prince who was ridiculed for talking to his plants but a real champion of the nation and one of the reasons I am still working today at 84.' Sadly, the same can not be said for the King's youngest son. HARRY'S CRUELTY Once one of Prince Harry's biggest supporters, Arthur says that he has been astonished by his 'cruelty.' 'When it comes to a reconciliation I never say never but I think the problem is the damage has been done,' Arthur says. 'While the Oprah interview might have been Meghan's doing, the tell-all Spare book was all Harry and that was pretty damn cruel. 'He mentioned that he wanted a reconciliation in his recent interview with the BBC but what he should have been saying was 'sorry.'' While he might think of himself as the 'Spare', Arthur says that his own experience proved that he was anything but. 'I think it's such a shame Harry calls himself that as he was far more than a 'spare', he was a vital part of the royal family,' Arthur explains. I think it's such a shame Harry calls himself that as he was far more than a 'spare', he was a vital part of the royal family Arthur Edwards 'He was by far as our readers were concerned, I thought he was their most popular member of the royal family. 'He was a super guy to work with and I loved working with him. 'At the end of every trip we would all go to the pub and they would close the bar for Harry and then we'd have an hour and a half where we'd chat. 'He would be candid too, Harry always told you when he didn't like a picture 'I remember him once telling me that he would do everything in his power to help us out, and he really did. 'Now it's hard to sort of say anything nice about him but in my heart, I hope one day, somehow he can come back and work for the country.' Meanwhile Arthur, who has worked for The Sun for over 50 years, plans to continue serving his own role for as long as he can. He adds: 'My job is a way of life and it's been a way of life for 50 years. 'I've enjoyed every bit of it and I plan to carry on as long as that's still the case. 'As Piers Morgan once said, 'treat every day as your last because one day you'll be right'.' 11