According to an American memo sent on Oct 24, 2008, from London to Washington: “The Libyans have not yet made a formal application for compassionate release for Megrahi, but HMG [Her Majesty’s Government] believes that the Scottish may be inclined to grant the request, when it comes, based on conversations between Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond and UK Justice Secretary Jack Straw. Although the general practice is to grant compassionate release within three months of end of life, this is not codified in the law, so the release, if granted, could occur sooner rather than later.”