Abdelbaset al-Megrahi is terminally ill with just days to live according to the latest reports from his family in Libya.

The Lockerbie bomber is on a life support machine and is unable to speak having fallen into a coma some weeks ago.

He was freed from Greenock prison on compassionate grounds in 2009 after being diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer.

The controversial decision to free him was taken by Scotland’s justice secretary Kenny MacAskill and sparked fury in the US.

The move was condemned by President Barack Obama’s administration, with secretary of state Hilary Clinton stating she “categorically disagreed with the decision”.

Abdelbaset al-Megrahi

al-Megrahi was sentenced to life in jail after his conviction for the murder of 270 people in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Scotland.

Last week Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi said al-Megrahi’s family would be suing over his “neglect” in Greenock Prison.

Speaking to students in London via a video link, he said: “His health was not looked after in prison. He didn’t have any periodic examination. I wish him a long life.

“After he passes away, his family will demand compensation because he was deliberately neglected in prison.”

Wikileaks

al-Megrahi has again been making headlines this week following the release of secret diplomatic cables concerned with his release by the Wikileaks website.

Cables between Washington and London outline UK fears Libya may take action against British trade interests if the Lockerbie bomber died in jail.

“Thuggish” threats made by Colonel Gaddafi to halt all trade deals if Megrahi stayed in jail were also highlighted, with British officials admitting “they were between a rock and a hard place” on the issue.