THE Lockerbie families are being used as an excuse by Libya and America to end sanctions for economic reasons, according to the father of one of the Worcestershire victims.

Libya's Foreign Minister Abdel-Rahman Shalqam insisted that Tripoli "will never accept responsibility" for the bombing in 1988.

In March, a Scottish appeals court upheld the murder conviction of former Libyan intelligence agent Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi for the bombing.

The United Nations has insisted Libya take the blame for blowing up a Pan Am jumbo jet over the Scottish town.

"We are completely innocent," said Mr Shalqam. "But I think there is a readiness on both sides to find a compromise."

However, Rev John Mosey, father of 19-year-old Helga Mosey, one of the 270 killed in the bombing, said he remained cynical about this news. He said the agreement was only being reached to end the sanctions so Libya could export oil and America could export technology.

"Libya are using us, saying their men are not guilty but for the sake of the family they will pay up," said the vicar of Cradley, near Malvern. He said compensation was not the main aim of the Lockerbie families, but rather there were questions that needed to be answered.