The University of Strathclyde were allowing entry only to "approved" members of the press last night (Wednesday) as they hosted the second public debate of the Justice for Megrahi campaign.

The campaign, co-founded by Dr Jim Swire, Iain Mckie and Father Patrick Keegans among others, aims to highlight the humanitarian case for releasing Abdelbaset Ali Mohmad Al Megrahi on compassionate grounds.

Security staff at Strathclyde University Students' Union where the event was held were screening attendees and restricting recording and photography of the event -ostensibly a public event-  to only "approved" media who appeared on a list held by them.  The Firm magazine were instructed not to record or take photos of the event.

The list was provided by the University's Libyan Society, and approved by the President of the University of Strathclyde Students’ Association, Neil Campbell.

"This is not a conspiracy. This is not censorship. It's a Students' Association acting well within, and as required by, the laws that govern it," Campbell told the Firm.

Neither Students Union General manager John McCusker or the Justice for Megrahi committee members were aware of the existence of the list, which was requested from the Libyan Society by Campbell, who asked the Libyan Society to provide details of any press that were "likely" to attend.

"It is standard practice that any external media organisation wishing to film or take photographs within the Association needs the permission of the President, as they do not fall under the bracket of "members and their guests" which, as a private members club, we normally cater to," he said.

The meeting heard that the police agreed with Megrahi's defence that he posed no flight risk and was unlikely to offend if released. The JFM group conclude that his presence is jail is not necessary to allow his second appeal to proceed. The Crown have objected to these points and Megrahi remains in custody suffering from terminal cancer.

The meeting, held before an open audience, called on the public to contact their MSPs or public representatives if they were concerned at Megrahi's plight.