Guido has pointed out before that Howard seems to have it in for Jeffrey Archer. Now the Tories are to target prison book profits. Criminals would be prevented from profiting from books about their crimes under a Tory government says Michael Howard. Royalties would be treated as proceeds of crime and could be seized under the proposals. “We don’t think criminals should benefit from their crimes – society should draw a clear distinction between right and wrong,” Howard said.

Under the plan, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 would be amended to enable the attorney general to apply to a court for proceeds from a book or article to be confiscated. Any payments made to a criminal to help produce a book or newspaper article would also be covered by the plan. “What I want to see is a presumption against criminals benefiting from their crimes in this way.” The new legislation would also cover live entertainment appearances by criminals. Oscar Wilde would be spinning in his grave, but on the other hand if it keeps ex-con Johnny Vaughn off the radio, Guido has no objections.