Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi's shellsuit hid body armour

Scottish minister Kenny MacAskill answers questions on security measures relating to Megrahi's release

The white shellsuit worn by the Lockerbie bomber on his release from jail was chosen to disguise his body armour, it emerged today.

Images of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi boarding an aeroplane from Glasgow to Libya showed him in the casual outfit, which was later swapped for a more formal grey suit before he arrived in Tripoli.

Kenny MacAskill, the Scottish justice secretary, revealed the security measure to MSPs investigating the way Megrahi's compassionate release in August was handled.

The Scottish parliament's justice committee also heard that a bombproof vehicle was needed to transport the terminally-ill Libyan to the airport.

MacAskill had been asked to set out what considerations were given to release the convicted murderer to an address in Scotland.

The cost, security implications, burden on health authorities and negative impact to local communities were given as reasons for sending Megrahi home to Libya.

MacAskill said: "The release of Mr al-Megrahi from Greenock prison to Glasgow airport resulted in the Scottish prison service requiring to acquire, I think, a vehicle that was bombproof to avoid roadside devices.

"It required, as some tabloid papers referred to, the Reliance officers who wore body armour receiving enhanced danger pay.

"It required Mr al-Megrahi dressed in a shellsuit because he was hiding the body armour that he was wearing. All of these things were simply to transport him from HM Prison Greenock the short journey to Glasgow airport."

MacAskill said 48 officers from Strathclyde police would be needed to ensure Megrahi's safety at Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, where his family had a home.

He told MSPs that the necessary security at a hospital would be "inappropriate and downright disrespectful" to others seeking care.

And he insisted that a "media circus" would descend on Megrahi if he was allowed to stay in Scotland.

A Scottish prison service spokesman later said its staff wore "appropriate protective clothing" but would not comment further on "security matters".