Scottish police had a personal vendetta against former gangland figure Paul Ferris, a new book claims.
Ferris, 59, became one of Scotland’s most feared men as an enforcer for Glasgow crime lord Arthur Thompson before branching out on his own.
He was snared smuggling guns to Glasgow as part of an undercover probe involving a number of police forces.
Operation Abonar, a new book on the covert 1997 investigation, claims the cops involved were hellbent on bringing Ferris to justice.
The book, by former Scotland Yard senior investigating officer Michael Hallowes, tells how Strathclyde Police Detective Superintendent Don McGregor revealed his obsession with Ferris at a meeting during the investigation.
He wrote: “Don said, ‘I’d like to start by thanking our MI5 colleagues and South-East Regional Crime Squad for such brilliant help with arresting Paul Ferris. Now we need to ensure he goes down at court.
“We have Paul Ferris in custody. Let me focus now on the two main purposes of this meeting. First, to make sure we have the evidence really tight. I wannae be sure nae jury will let Ferris walk away this time. I know it sounds personal, and that’s because it is.”
Hallowes added: “It was clear from the murmurs around the table that the others shared his annoyance at whatever had gone before.”
Ferris had previously been cleared of two shootings. He walked free in 1984 over the shooting of John Hogg in Glasgow that year, and over the murder of Arthur “The Godfather” Thompson’s son, Arthur “Fat Boy” Thompson Junior, in 1992.
But the work of McGregor, Hallowes and other officers involved in the probe led to Ferris being caught ferrying guns to Scotland.
He was spotted transporting three MAC-10 submachine guns, Uzi magazines, silencers and dozens of blue-tipped and copper-jacketed 9mm ammunition in an Opal Fruits box.
The book claims he planned to use the weapons to wreak havoc in Glasgow.
He was jailed for 10 years over the gunrunning plot in 1998 but appealed his conviction and the sentence was reduced to seven years.
Hallowes book added: “Ferris was on record for his many complaints about being a victim of ‘police fit-ups’.
“Hence, the detectives from Strathclyde Police, who had so diligently gathered the intelligence and evidence against him were delighted to see him finally convicted.”
●Operation Abonar costs £18.99 and is available in shops and online
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