Glasgow Cathcart by-election 2005

'The peer, who was sentenced to 16 months behind bars last month for wilful fire raising, is hoping to emulate Lord Jeffrey Archer, who made £10 million from his prison memoirs.' Fiona MacGregor in the Scotsman, 15 th October 2005.

Watson plans a book on his time in prison

By Fiona MacGregor in the Scotsman 15 th October 2005

THE shamed Labour peer Lord Mike Watson is planning to cash in on his time in prison by writing a book.

The fire-raiser is keeping a diary of his life behind bars in Saughton Prison, Edinburgh.

Lord Watson, 56, is reported to be planning to use his prison memoirs to publish a book on his release.

The peer, who was sentenced to 16 months behind bars last month for wilful fire raising, is hoping to emulate Lord Jeffrey Archer, who made £10 million from his prison memoirs.

Lord Watson was jailed after he admitted deliberately setting fire to curtains at Prestonfield House Hotel, Edinburgh, following a political awards ceremony.

He was caught on closed circuit television but claimed that he had suffered an alcoholic blackout.

The existence of Lord Watson's jail diary was revealed by a prison officer. The officer, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "He's writing a book - a diary of his time in here.

"He's been befriended by a couple of other prisoners because they want to be in his book."

The officer also claimed Lord Watson was getting "an easy time" in prison. Reports of his receiving special privileges have been firmly denied by the Scottish prison service.