THE 270 people who died at the hands of the Lockerbie bomber came from 21 nations and seven faiths.

It is unrealistic, therefore, to expect unanimity of opinion on the sentence handed down to the man convicted of the atrocity.

The families of the victims are familiar with different criminal justice systems, and have different expectations.

It is understandable for some to be critical of a life sentence which consists of 27 years - just over a month's imprisonment for each murder.

However, when this unique legal process was set in motion the families placed their trust in the Scottish judicial system and were aware of the restrictions placed on sentencing.

Perhaps they should be content in the knowledge that the bomber will not be freed until 2026, when he will be in his mid-70s.

Sadly, yesterday's ruling at the High Court in Glasgow does not represent the end of the legal process in this case. For the families there must be further torment and uncertainty to endure.

There is every likelihood of an appeal against the severity of the sentence by the defence. On behalf of the families, there will be an appeal on the leniency of the sentence.

And once those appeals are sorted out, there are plans for a new appeal against conviction.

Away from the legal process, the calls for an inquiry into the tragedy persist.

Knowing the identity of the bomber does not explain why the act of terror was able to be perpetrated.

Doubts over the level of aviation security in December 1988 and rumours that there was knowledge of an impending terrorist attack on a passenger jet refuse to go away, even after all these years.

The families' search for truth and justice remains as steadfast as ever.

While justice must remain a matter for the Scottish legal system, the only real opportunity to reach the truth of what happened on that terrible night is to through a public inquiry.