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Enduring ties from Lockerbie bombing 'leave legacy of hope' says Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon

The wrecked nose section of Pan Am flight 103 in a field at Lockerbie after the plane was blown apart by a bomb on December 21 1988. Picture by Press Association 
The wrecked nose section of Pan Am flight 103 in a field at Lockerbie after the plane was blown apart by a bomb on December 21 1988. Picture by Press Association  The wrecked nose section of Pan Am flight 103 in a field at Lockerbie after the plane was blown apart by a bomb on December 21 1988. Picture by Press Association 

THE enduring ties and friendships created following the Lockerbie bombing have left a legacy of hope for the future, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

Scotland's first minister was speaking in the Scottish Parliament ahead of the 30th anniversary of the tragedy on December 21 1988, in which 270 people from 21 nations died.

The Solicitor General for Scotland, Alison Di Rollo, will attend events in the United States on Friday, whilst Lord Advocate James Wolffe will represent the Scottish Government at a memorial service in Lockerbie.

Speaking at Holyrood on Thursday, Ms Sturgeon said MSPs will reflect on all those who lost loved ones in the incident, as well as the residents of Lockerbie.

"An almost unimaginable tragedy brought out incredible reserves of solidarity, compassion and love," she said.

"The bereaved showed immense dignity and resilience. People in Lockerbie and the surrounding area opened their hearts to those who had lost loved ones.

"Enduring ties and friendships have been created. Syracuse University, which lost 35 of its students in the bombing, now accepts two scholarship pupils every year from Lockerbie Academy.

"That is a powerful example of the way in which people have worked to remember the past, in a way which also builds hope for the future.

"That hope is also now part of the legacy of Lockerbie. And that is perhaps something to hold in our hearts tomorrow as we look back on the tragedy, as we think about all those who lost loved ones and as we remember and honour all those who died."

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw paid tribute to one of the victims, who had worked in his family's business and died at Lockerbie.

"I associate myself entirely with the remarks the First Minister has made and the remarks that the Prime Minister made yesterday," said Mr Carlaw.

"As I was preparing for Christmas that year, so were the Somerville family. Jack Somerville had been the retail vehicle sales manager in our family business for some 20 years before he retired.

"I remember him with great affection - yes, he had a sheepskin coat like all the best used car sales managers. He was fond of a cigar, he was a big personality.

"He and his family were in the house in which the plane landed and were obliterated.

"I know I, and many of his former colleagues, along with all those who lost relatives and friends think fondly of them each year when this anniversary comes around."