Mike Watson MSP also known as Lord Watson of Invergowrie finally appeared in the dock at Edinburgh’s Sheriff Court to deny the two charges of wilful fireraising.
The first of the two charges alleges that on 12 November last year, at the reception area of the Prestonfield Hotel, Priestfield Road, Edinburgh, Watson set a curtain alight and did so wilfully. The fire is said to have taken hold and the curtain, a curtain pole, walls and a ceiling were damaged “and the lives of the patrons of said hotel were endangered”.
The second charge relates to the same date, but specifies the Yellow Room at the luxury hotel. There, Watson is accused of setting fire to a curtain, again wilfully, and the curtain is said to have been damaged and the lives of those in the hotel endangered.
M’Lud was attending the Scottish Politician of the Year awards dinner on the night in question and there are obvious similarities with Mr. Fawkes and the 1605 Westminster affair even if there wasn’t thirty six barrels of gunpowder.
Watson is on the board of Dundee United, his third wife and was suspended by Labour following his arrest. He also held the position of tourism minister but was best known for being the architect of the controversial legislation which banned fox hunting with dogs. His trial starts on 5th September.
Guido knows how easily these things can get out of hand….
