British brass band defends playing at Gadhafi's anniversary party

Their excuse? They planned the event a year in advance, before the whole Lockerbie row. AFP

LONDON — A British brass band defended Wednesday its participation in Libyan celebrations next week marking the 40th anniversary of Moamer Kadhafi coming to power, despite the recent Lockerbie bomber row.

The Burry Port Town Band from south Wales said its participation in the ceremonies in Tripoli was agreed a long time ago, well before the recent row over Scotland's release of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi from prison.

"The timing is difficult although this festival was planned over a year ago," the band's chairman Marc Scaife told the BBC at their last rehearsal before heading for the north African country.