<p><br /> The British government reportedly feared Libya would take "harsh and immediate action" if the Lockerbie bomber died in prison.<br /> </p><p><br /> According to leaked US diplomatic cables, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi made "thuggish" threats to halt all trade deals with the UK and harass embassy staff if Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was not freed.<br /> </p><p><br /> Tripoli also offered a "parade of treats" to the Scottish devolved administration if it let the convicted mass killer go - although the incentives were refused.<br /> </p><p><br /> Details of the fraught contacts between Libya and Britain over al-Megrahi are revealed in documents obtained by controversial website WikiLeaks and seen by the Guardian.<br /> </p><p><br /> The American charge d'affaires in London, Richard LeBaron, wrote in a cable to his bosses in October 2008: "The Libyans have told HMG [Her Majesty's Government] flat out that there will be 'enormous repercussions' for the UK-Libya bilateral relationship if Megrahi's early release is not handled properly."<br /> </p><p><br /> The cable said the US embassy had been given this information by two British officials - Downing Street's North Africa adviser Ben Lyons, and Rob Dixon, his counterpart at the Foreign Office.<br /> </p><p><br /> The founder of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, is in custody after being refused bail following an extradition hearing in London on Tuesday.<br /> </p><p><br /> The Scottish Government eventually released al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds in August last year because he was suffering from terminal prostate cancer.<br /> </p><p><br /> However, the move caused fury in the US amid suggestions that it was linked to lucrative British oil deals with Libya.<br /> </p>
