The Imperial War Museum in London has acquired the witness box used in the trial of Abdelbaset Al Megrahi for the Pan Am 103 events at Zeist, and is considering putting it on display in 2014.

The box was obtained following an “agreement” between Scottish and Dutch “officials”, and is being considered for display as part of a major redevelopment of the Imperial War Museum.

The acquisition was questioned by UN observer to the trial Professor Hans Kochler, who challenged the Scottish and UK Governments to release the unpublished report of the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, which outlines why it concluded that a miscarriage of justice may have occurred.

“Instead of giving away memorabilia which have no relevance for the yet unresolved case, the Scottish authorities should release the full report of the SCCRC; and the British authorities should revoke the PII certificate issued by Mr. Miliband in 2008,” Kochler said.

The Imperial War Museum told The Firm that it acquired the box the museum’s remit is “to cover conflicts involving Britain, the Commonwealth and former Empire from 1914 to the present day, this includes acts of terrorism.”

“We challenge people to look at conflict from different perspectives, enriching their understanding of the causes, course and consequences of war and its impact on people’s lives. The Lockerby [sic] trial was a unique historic event and the witness box was considered an important piece of historical evidence which should be preserved for the nation ,” it added.

“The witness box is one item being considered for display. However, a final decision has yet to be been made.”

The families groups of those affected by the Pan A 103 event have not been contacted by the museum, although The Firm was told that if the box does go on display, the museum “would also review broader community consultation issues.”

Dr Jim Swire, of UK Families Flight 103 told The Firm he had concerns about whether the custody of the box by the Imperial War Museum was appropriate.

"Lockerbie is in Scotland. The witness box did have a place in the unique trial at Zeist under Scots law, although one has to question whether the box itself bore witness to the truth of the Lockerbie events, or to something else entirely,” he said.

“In any event, there has been a permanent exhibit in Glasgow's museum of transport for some years where one might have though any additional items may be selected for display.

"Quite apart from any question of how or why it has come to be part of the collection at the Imperial War Museum in London, one also has to ask what war exactly this artefact is supposed to be associated with."