Glasgow Cathcart by-election 2005

'The commission of a serious criminal offence must be met with rigour if public confidence in the law is to be maintained. We are not persuaded that the sentence was outwith the regulations and we refuse the appeal.' Lady Cosgrave, 24 th March 2006.

Firestarter Lord Watson loses appeal to cut jail sentence

By Alan McEwan, Crime reporter in the Evening News 24 th March 2006

DISGRACED Labour peer Mike Watson today lost his appeal against a 16-month prison sentence for fire-raising at a plush Edinburgh hotel.

Lord Watson was jailed in September last year after he admitted deliberately setting fire to curtains at Prestonfield House Hotel after an awards ceremony in 2004.

The 56-year-old former MSP and Scottish Executive Minister, who is currently in Edinburgh's Saughton Prison, appeared at the High Court in a bid to have his prison term reduced.

But the appeal judges refused the motion and said the length of sentence had to be maintained to ensure "public confidence in the law." Lady Cosgrove said: "This was a very serious offence and but for the prompt actions of hotel staff could have had disastrous consequences for the building, and more importantly, the lives of guests and staff.

"We accept that doubts have been cast on the validity of the risk assessment and it seems plain to us that since the appellant behaviour was closely related to his alcohol consumption that the question of risk assessment should address this issue. But the risk of re-offending is not the only factor to take into account. The appellant was a member of Parliament and the House of Lords.

"The commission of a serious criminal offence must be met with rigour if public confidence in the law is to be maintained. We are not persuaded that the sentence was outwith the regulations and we refuse the appeal."

Lord Watson's defence agent, Chris Shed, had sought to persuade the court to reduce the length of sentence. He argued that the original starting point of 20 months, which was mitigated by a plea of guilty to 16 months, was "excessive".

He said: "The court was right to take a serious view of the offence. Nonetheless this court should be persuaded that it was too high."

Mr Shed also said that the trial and sentence had "very significant" consequences on Lord Watson as a public figure.

He added that the former peer had to resign as both a Member of Parliament and a director of Dundee Football Club. Mr Shed said: "I wish to remind the court that the appellant admitted his shame and embarrassment and that remains his position.

"At the time of the offence he was under stress, both personal and professional, and I would ask the court to bear that in mind.He was significantly under the influence of alcohol, so much so that he cannot recall the offence."

The Appeal Court heard Watson sought no special treatment because of his contribution to public life but his agent pointed out that he had faced "additional difficulties" because of his prominent position.

Mr Shed reminded the judges, Lady Cosgrove and C.G.B. Nicholson QC, that photographs had been taken of the former Cathcart MSP Watson while in custody and published in a national newspaper, adding to his "humiliation".

He also argued that Sheriff Kathrine Mackie who imposed the sentence had failed to give "proper weight" to the testimonials from public figures at his sentencing.