 | 'Watson is now adapting to prison life, and even has the cheek to tell fellow-cons to call him "Lord".' Lori Campbell in the Daily Record, 12 th October 2005. |  |
| 'Watson is now adapting to prison life, and even has the cheek to tell fellow-cons to call him "Lord".' Lori Campbell in the Daily Record, 12 th October 2005. | |
FEAR and shock are etched on the face of jailed peer Mike Watson in his official prison mugshot The former Scottish cabinet minister was red-eyed from crying when he was photographed minutes after arriving at Saughton jail.
But Watson is now adapting to prison life, and even has the cheek to tell fellow-cons to call him "Lord".
A jail insider said: "Prisoners and officers have been calling him Mike, and some of theprisonershave takentocallinghim Mikey, whichhe really despises.
"Because of this, he's asked them to call him Lord Watson. He says that's his title.
"The prisoners do it but they're taking the mickey.The prison officers certainly don't."
Watson arrived at the tough Ednburgh jail on September 22 after being sentenced to 16 months for wilful fire-raising. He drunkenly torched a pair of curtains at a posh hotel after staff refused to serve him more alcohol.
His mugshot, obtained by the Daily Record,clearly shows his bewilderment at being locked up.
Watson, 56,got the same introduction to prison life as any other convict.
He was told to empty his pockets and his belongings were put in a sealed bag for safe keeping.
Tattoos The former Glasgow Cathcart MSP was photographed for his prison ID card. Then he was ordered to strip naked in front of two prison officers, who checked for distinguishing features such as birthmarks, tattoos and scars.
Finally,and most humiliatingly, Watson was told to squat so he could be body-searched for drugs.
The life peer, full title Lord Watson of Invergowrie,was then handed a pair of white overalls and interviewed byan officer.
The source said:"He was asked if he had any worries or questions, then asked about his health."
Watson was put in the jail's Hermiston, Level 3 section. The insider said: "His cell's not too bad. It has built-in units, a sink, a toilet and a TV with satellite.
"His uniform is a polo T-shirt and red sweatshirt with H3 written on it. He also gets jeans or jogging bottoms,and black shoes."
On his first full day in jail, Watson attended a lecture called Introduction to Prison Life, and also got a lesson in sexual health.
Watson has landed a job in the prison kitchens. It's seen as one of the cushiest posts in Saughton, and allows him to spend the whole day out of his cell.
He also gets an hour of exercise each day, time he spends walking around the prison football pitch.
Watson shares a cell with a violent offender. He has made friends with some inmates by helping them to read and write, and his new pals have given him tips on getting through his sentence.
He has signed up for Spanish classes and advanced computer lessons, and has received at least two visits from his third wife Claire,3 1.
Watson's former Labour colleague, MSP Gordon Jackson QC, has also been to see him.
Malcolm Brown, a spokesman for Watson, said: "Mike is settling in extremely well, and is making a contribution to prison life ona daily basis.
"He has taken a lot of banter about his crime.
"Mike Watson, like a lot of other people, has a sensitive side. But he also has a tough mental side, and a few jokes here and there are nothing to him."
With good behaviour, Watson can expect to be freed after eight months.
But his spokesman yesterday confirmed that his lawyers have given notice that they intend to appeal against the length of his sentence.
Return to home page