The new TV drama about the Lockerbie bombing has sparked significant controversy, especially among the families of victims of the tragedy. Titled Lockerbie: A Search for Truth, the five-part series depicts the relentless pursuit of justice by Dr. Jim Swire, whose daughter Flora was killed when Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed on December 21, 1988. The series is based on Dr. Swire's book, The Lockerbie Bombing: A Father's Search for Justice, and stars Colin Firth as Swire.
Dr. Swire, now 89 years old, expressed his approval of the drama's depiction of the events, stating on BBC Breakfast, "I think they’ve told the story about seeking after truth with great accuracy, but also, more significantly, with great kindness to us who watch the series being made." His hope is for the show to attract younger viewers and create awareness about the tragic bombing, which claimed 270 lives—including 11 individuals on the ground.
He added, "I do hope this series will add to what we can find out about what this disastrous event was really about—and let’s try and get past the era of revenge and murder and slaughter and war, which looks so close to us now, and find a more humane way of dealing with each other than simply by murdering each other.”
The drama sheds light on Dr. Swire's belief which he shares with other bereaved families, asserting the attack could have been part of Iran’s retaliation after the US shot down Iran Air Flight 655, killing 290 people just months prior. Swire indicated, "Five months later, Lockerbie happened. The facts seem to point toward Iran having engaged with terrorist groups to get revenge." This claim reignited conversations about the longer shadow the Lockerbie bombing cast on international relations.
Despite the praise from Dr. Swire, the new series has been criticized by his daughter, Catherine Swire. Catherine voiced her displeasure over how the series portrayed her memories of Flora, stating, "My last private memories of Flora have been distorted… most of the details about my own life… have been altered dramatically and publicly to uphold one single campaign story." She criticized the drama for oversimplifying and misrepresenting their family's search for justice, noting her formal request to Carnival Films, the production company, to refrain from depicting her role was ignored.
Catherine continued by highlighting how the dramatization speculated about the source of the terror attack, which she argues was outside her views and emphasized the nuances of their family’s experience compared to the drama's more straightforward narrative. "It was disturbing to see the character playing my role speculate passionately about whether Iran was the source of the terror attack. That is not my voice," she added.
This division within the family reflects the broader debate surrounding the accuracy and ethics of dramatizing real-life tragedies. Dr. Swire hopes the drama serves to inform and remind audiences of the human toll taken by violence and the enduring quest for truth amid complex geopolitical tensions.
American victims' families also expressed concerns, fearing the series could influence public perception and juror opinions as the trial for Libyan suspect Abu Agila Masud approaches. Masud is expected to stand trial later this year for his alleged involvement in orchestrate the bombing.
The series not only seeks to entertain but also to preserve the memory of the victims and explore the depths of human grief, resilience, and the desire for justice.
Interestingly, the series features dramatized recurring elements of Dr. Swire’s activism, including his controversial act of smuggling a fake bomb onto a flight to demonstrate security failures. This incident, dramatized within the series as immediate news, happened six weeks after the actual event, underscoring disparities between dramatization and the truth of events. This stunt aimed to highlight inadequacies within airport security following such significant loss of life.
Responding to questions about whether he believed his actions brought any meaningful change, Dr. Swire remarked, "You simply cannot image how depressing it was flying over the Atlantic knowing there could easily be a bomb below the cargo hold.” He stated his motivation was not about pranksterism but highlighting serious security oversights, aiming to evoke discussions about safety improvements.
For many families affected by the bombing, the quest for answers continues, intertwined with their own grief, resolute pursuit of justice, and the hope for reconciliation rather than revenge. The drama serves as both a reminder of their losses and rekindles hope for closure, even amid their painful journeys toward healing.
Going forward, families and communities hope the airing of Lockerbie: A Search for Truth will prompt renewed interest not only in the bombing itself but also the multifaceted narratives surrounding it, ensuring the memories of those lost continue to resonate within public consciousness.