Paul Ferris (gangster) - Freedom

Freedom

Ferris started a new security company named Frontline Security after being released from prison. In December 2003 his brother Billy was convicted of murder for a second time. He had been released in 1999 after serving 22 years of a life sentence, but was convicted of the February 2003 murder of a 15-year old boy, after mistaking him for the boy's older brother who had assaulted his wife. In January 2004 Frontline Security were criticised when it was revealed the company were guarding the Rosepark nursing home, where 14 pensioners had died in a fire. Relatives of the victims demanded to know why a company linked to Ferris had been hired. Three months later it emerged that Frontline Security had won a contract to protect speed cameras on the M8 motorway, with a police source stating "The fact this firm have been handed this speed camera contract is just plain ridiculous". Later the same year it emerged that the company had been paid taxpayers' money to protect Dumbarton Sheriff Court, and court bosses said they would not use the firm again.

Ferris caused more controversy when it emerged he was being filmed for a fly-on-the-wall television show to be aired on Five. TV bosses were accused of glamourising his life of crime, with a Glasgow detective stating "Now we have Ferris the TV star - it makes you sick. He can try to become a Z-list celebrity all he wants, but he is a career criminal and no matter how many times he tries to reinvent himself, we will always know the truth". In April 2005 police in Edinburgh began investigating Ferris over concerns he was attempting to invest in the taxi trade in the city, and a month later details of a planned film about Ferris' life emerged, starring Scottish actor Robert Carlyle and Oasis singer Liam Gallagher. Ferris released his third book Vendetta in October 2005, and followed that with an appearance at the Festival of Scottish Writing in Edinburgh in May 2006. This was followed by the release of his fourth book Villains in October 2006. In January 2007 Scottish Minister for Justice Cathy Jamieson announced a planned initiative to prevent convicted criminals from profiting from the publication of their memoirs, although Reg McKay has previously stated Ferris did not profit from the sale of the first book and that his motivation is not financial.

A film based on his life, The Wee Man, starring John Hannah and Martin Compston was released in 2013.