Wine Drinkers And Fire Raisers

This sounds believable.

It is understood that Lord Watson of Invergowrie, who, until last year was the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport in Scotland, was the subject of a complaint to police by the management of Prestonfield House Hotel, in Edinburgh.

Just before the first outbreak of fire, it is believed that words were exchanged when a bar stopped serving drinks for the night after the Scottish Politician of the Year awards, sponsored by the Glasgow-based Herald newspaper.

Also liked this comment from a friend.

"Mike was not particularly drunk."

UPDATE - is he the fire starter ? The twisted fire starter ? Who can say ?

"in a statement he repeated: "Although two of them [stills from the CCTV footage] appear to feature me, I’m not doing anything wrong and the other two are inconclusive. I categorically deny any wrongdoing."

A spokesman for the party said: Watson had still not been contacted by the police, who yesterday were refusing to comment on the substance of the case. A statement from Lothian and Borders police is expected today.

The extraordinary succession of events caught on camera began at 2:13am on Friday, when a man in a dress kilt was captured on CCTV camera crouching by the curtains in the reception room.

At 2:16am, the same man comes back into camera, and looks across to see a small flame lapping on the edge of the curtain. By 2:18, the flames have spread right across the curtains, with smoke filling the room."

The fire was quickly put out but the suspicions of staff were roused when they discovered that an unsuccessful attempt had been made to set alight the curtains in an adjacent room"

UPDATE 2 14/11/04 - things not looking good.

A party spokesman said: “Mike Watson has been suspended from the Labour party pending the outcome of the current legal process.”

Labour’s move followed Lord Watson being charged by police over an alleged incident at an Edinburgh hotel after the Scottish Politician of the Year Awards, in the early hours of Friday.

The inquiry is believed to have been into claims that a curtain may have been set on fire at the five-star hotel.

Lothian and Borders Police said: “A 55-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged incident at the Prestonfield House hotel in the early hours of Friday November 12.