AN UNFORTUNATE SILENCE..

It sounds like a real tangled web, the Lockerbie bomber release business. Did Gordon Brown say one thing to Libya and something else to Obama? What were the real motives behind the early release of Abdel Baset al-Megrahi ? Was it simple comapssion, even if misplaced, or was there far more to it? Someone must know and the one person who should know is saying nothing. Well, almost nothing.

Yesterday, in a coreographed announcement about phantom jobs for 85,000 unemployed young people, which smacked more of spin than reality, our Prime Minister issued a series of denials - no oil deal with Libya, no double dealing, no influence brought to bear, nothing to do with me as it was a matter for the Scottish Parliament, not Westminster. In fact, no hint at all of what Gordon Brown thought of the release which is puzzling, especially if, as he says, he had nothing to do with it.

One thing we do need is leadership, clearly stated views and opinions so we know where we stand, who we are dealing with and who speaks on our behalf. Brown has become adept at giving his opinions on everything from the Ashes victory to Jade Goody`s farewell. But of Lockerbie, Megrahi and all that, not a word, so small wonder that people are thinking the worst. We don`t know what he thinks, so we are left to form our own conclusions.

I`m afraid mine is that I find it increasingly difficult to believe anything that Brown says and it has reached the point whereby I don`t even believe the silence any more. I suspect I am not alone.