Archer faces cold turkey Christmas

Prison catering is a far cry from Archer's usual fare

Disgraced Tory peer Lord Archer will be spending Christmas Day in jail.

The millionaire novelist will have to celebrate with his fellow inmates.

He will not be eligible for temporary release on licence so will be spending Christmas Day with other prisoners at Hollesley Bay prison in Suffolk.

Festive fare at the jail is cold turkey slices and no alcohol.

Sumptuous catering

A prison source said Archer - who is 18 months into a four-year sentence for perjury - was due to take one day's release this weekend and another next weekend.

Because he has not served half his sentence he is not allowed to take a full week - the only way he could have been at home on Christmas Day.

The jail's Christmas meal will be far from the sumptuous catering to which the disgraced peer is accustomed.

Prison canteens usually have a budget of £1.40-a-day per inmate, although a little extra may be available for next Wednesday's lunch, due to be served at noon.

Cold turkey slices with cranberry sauce, creamed potatoes, carrots and peas will be followed by Christmas pudding, cheese and coffee.