Scottish ministers could release the former Libyan intelligence agent convicted of the Lockerbie bombing because he is suffering from “advanced stage” cancer.

The SNP Administration at Holyrood confirmed today that it would consider a request for early release on the grounds of his deteriorating health.

Abdul Baset Ali al-Megrahi, 56, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer following hospital tests last month, his lawyer revealed today. Tony Kelly added that the disease has spread to other parts of his client’s body, and said it would be “unwise” to predict his life expectancy.

Al-Megrahi is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 27 years after being convicted in 2001 of bombing Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988. All 259 men, women and children on board died along with 11 residents in the Scottish Borders town, who were killed by falling wreckage.

A spokeswoman at Holyrood said today: “One of the options would be to ask for compassionate leave. While it would be up to Scottish ministers to make that decision a request has not yet been received.”

She added that such a request was only likely to considered were a prisoner nearing the end of his or her life.

Although Al-Megrahi, who has consistently denied responsibility for the atrocity, lost a previous appeal, he was given a lifeline last June when the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC) ordered that the case should go back to court.

Last week he won another legal victory when judges ruled his appeal should have an even wider focus than the five issues highlighted by the commission. No date has yet been fixed for a hearing which will decide if the guilty verdict should be overturned.

Mr Kelly said: “Following hospital tests, Mr Al Megrahi was last month diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“Unfortunately the disease has spread to other parts of his body and is therefore at an advanced stage.

“Mr Al Megrahi asks that the privacy of his family is respected at this difficult time.”

Mr Kelly said their legal battle would continue despite Al-Megrahi’s poor health. “He wishes me to make clear that the fight to overturn his wrongful conviction for the Lockerbie bombing will go on,” he said.

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