Hexham family's grief two decades after Lockerbie

Jean and Barry Berkley's 29-year-old son, Alistair, was one of those who died on that flight.

The couple, from Sandhoe, near Hexham, are among relatives of some of the British Lockerbie victims who say they will never have peace of mind until their unanswered questions about the destruction of the aircraft are properly addressed.

Mrs Berkley, now aged 78, and her 80-year-old husband, have campaigned tirelessly since 1988 for the whole truth to be told about the destruction of Flight 103.

They and members of a support group for Lockerbie families are still calling for an independent inquiry to lay bare the whole truth about the Lockerbie bombing.

She said: "We feel completely mystified as to why we have not got an inquiry.

"It seems incredible that it is 20 years, particularly since much is unresolved.

"Sometimes it feels like it will take another 20 years to find out anything."

Former Libyan intelligence officer Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi was jailed for the bombing in 2001, but doubts have been voiced about his guilt and there are conflicting views over whether he should be released from prison after recently being diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer.

But the majority of the British families are united in calling for an independent inquiry into the worst mass murder in British history and a loss they say is as deeply felt now as it was 20 years ago.