Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill says his decision to free a Libyan man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing was based on Scottish law and values - not on diplomatic, political or economic factors.
There was an international outcry over the release of Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, 57, who is dying of cancer. He received a hero's welcome on his return to Libya on Thursday, the BBC reports.
Addressing the Scottish Parliament, Mr MacAskill said the welcome had been inappropriate, but reiterated that his reasons for granting compassionate release were based on the ideals of the Scottish legal system.
The decision has been strongly criticised by the United States government.
Calls to boycott Scotland
There are calls in the US for a boycott of Scottish goods. A website urging Americans to "Boycott Scotland" has been set up.
It features a list of e-mail addresses for prominent Scottish and United Kingdom politicians, as well as contact details for Scottish newspapers and a list of Scottish products and companies.
The site says a boycott is the only way to send a clear and direct message of American anger over the decision.
