link to Eamonn McCann's article in this Tuesday's Derry Journal (though PeterK/Fionn has given much of same info in 20/22 Aug messages). The two items were published together:
alMegrahi1
alMegrahi2

I watched BBC newsnight discussion the night after release. Someone else will have to tell you the name and former position of the American who very offensively said something like "people are going to be very angry if he's still alive three months from now"
Compassionate release can only be granted if the prisoner is given a medical prognosis of three months life expectancy, but we all know that medical prediction is inexact and that the emotion lift of being home might improve life expectancy. I don't imagine this man has seen much of his family during the years of imprisonment and if he had to wait much longer he may not have been fit for the journey.