Baron Watson’s plea to move on from criminal past after appointment by Jeremy Corbyn

Fire-raising peer Baron Watson of Invergowrie has said he should be allowed to “move on” from his criminal past after being appointed to Jeremy Corbyn’s front-bench team.

The former Dundee United director has been named as the party’s education spokesman in the House of Lords 11 years after setting fire to a curtain in an Edinburgh hotel following a heavy drinking session.

He served half of the 16-month sentence handed down for endangering the lives of guests.

The SNP has called his appointment to Labour’s top shadow team “bizarre”.

But Lord Watson said: “If sentences mean anything I would say that when you dealt with them you move on with your life and should be allowed to. That is Jeremy Corbyn’s view that it’s only fair people are given a chance to get on with their lives.

“It’s 11 years ago. My life has moved on. I think other people should be prepared to see that time has moved on.”

The former MP and MSP was initially kicked out of the Labour Party but was readmitted three years ago.

“Lord Watson was readmitted to the Labour Party in 2012 and following his rehabilitation it is right he should be allowed to play a full part in public life,” a party spokesman said.