Denis MacShane, released from jail in February after being targeted during the expenses scandal, will be documenting his brief sojourn in a prison diary. The former Labour MP was only behind bars for seven weeks but enough happened to fill a book. Publisher Biteback agreed, and it is bringing out what it describes as the “compelling account” in August.
The Londoner had lunch with MacShane at Mr Chow in Knightsbridge recently and asked him, over sumptuous platters of dim sum, what was the most surprising aspect of prison life. “The extraordinary quality of the underwear”, he replied.
“Strong, robust, meeting all of Jeremy Paxman’s criteria when he denounced M&S pants for not having enough elastic in them. I think they, or Next for example, should give a contract for good reliable underpants to Her Majesty’s Prison Service.”
We look forward to reading that chapter.
