Reformed criminal Paul Ferris was once an enforcer for feared Glasgow crime boss Arthur Thompson snr and served time for firearms offences, He is now a successful author and filmmaker.
04:30, 04 Jul 2026Updated 14:06, 04 Jul 2026
Former gangster Paul Ferris has revealed plans for a third blockbuster movie about his life and told how he plans to use the profits to pay off a huge tax bill. Last week the Daily Record reported that a sequel to the BAFTA award winning The Wee Man, was about to start filming.
The Wee Man told the story of Ferris growing up in the tough Blackhill area of Glasgow in the 80s and 90s and how he came to work as an enforcer for ruthless crime boss Arthur Thompson snr. The sequel - titled Ferris - will cover the period from 1992 to 2002 when he moved down south and was arrested in London on gun running charges and jailed at the Old Bailey.
The third movie, documents the time he was released from prison to the present date, will be about Ferris's attempts to go straight, his bid to become a become a legitimate businessman and battles with the authorities to prove he had put his past life behind him. In an exclusive interview, the former gangland kingpin turned reformed criminal, said discussions have already taken place with investors for the third film, which will be called Going Straight.
The 62-year-old hopes to start filming "Ferris" in August with a launch early next year and admitted that any money he makes from the movies will be used to settle a long running dispute with the taxman. He added: "The revenue that I am generating from the films will pay off HMRC commitments.
"I am late with payments. They are due a five figure sum and then that's me calling it a day with them."
Ferris said he was met a lot of opposition from the authorities after getting out of jail - describing them as "disruption tactics". At one point he had an RBS business account closed by the bank.
He was then refused accounts with the Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale and two other banks based on what he describes as 'spurious intelligence'. Ferris added:" I tried to play ball. I payed all kind of taxes.
"However there was always that resentment there."
Between 2002 and 2015 Ferris paid over £7million in corporation taxes on his businesses which included a security firm and a construction company. Since he came out of prison, he has also published five books including a novel and is about to launch a new Podcast called - The Here and Now.
Ferris was originally played by Line of Duty star Martin Compston in The Wee Man. Angels Share and River City star Paul Brannigan will play the older Ferris in the sequel.
It has not yet been confirmed who will play him in Going Straight. Ferris added: "At the end of the films, the question will be, 'Was it all worth it?'
"I am not doing any of this to be the big gangster - I am doing out to tell my life story. It's about how somebody living that life might not see where they are going.
"They end up changing paths. You go to prison to spend your time and take your punishment.
"Then you're supposed to come out and rehabilitate. That journey for me was the hardest one I've ever done."
When asked about the moment he decided to go straight, Ferris shared that it was while he was in prison following his arrest for gun running that he had his "eureka" moment. It came after he learned that MI5 had carried out a lengthy photographic surveillance on him.
Ferris continued: "You can't fight the government. It's impossible.
"It doesn't matter what sort of criminality you are involved in. If the Government and MI5 are onto you then you are on their radar for the rest of your life."
Ferris added that the MI5 surveillance snaps were particularly revealing, when he realised for the first time he had a bald patch. He said he has had no police attention on him since going straight, but that he still bumps into figures from the old days who haven't managed to shake off their past and are still in and out of prison.
Ferris is also aware of the recent gang wars that have been sweeping Scotland, related to the long running feud between the Lyons and Daniel crime families. He added: "I know both the Lyons and Daniel families and they know my position - it's always been neutrality.
"I don't get involved. I am doing what I am doing. I'm writing books. I'm earning a living and I am not involved in that world."
Ferris has five children and says none of them are involved in crime. Paul Ferris first came to public attention in 1992 when he was cleared at the High Court in Glasgow of the murder of Arthur Thompson jnr - son of Arthur Thomspon snr - in what was then the longest running trial in Scottish criminal history.
He then stood trial at the Old Bailey in London in 1998, where he was convicted of conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons, deal in firearms, and possess explosives. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison - later reduced to seven.
While in prison he brought out his first book "The Ferris Conspiracy" which was turned into The Wee Man. Ferris says he has never been tempted to go back to his old life, even if he received an offer 'he couldn't refuse.'
He is aware that some people might not believe he has gone completely straight given his past reputation. He added: "I have either been an absolute criminal genius for the last 25 years or I have done nothing wrong. Take your pick."
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Some of the images in this article were taken by photographer Brian Anderson. To view more of his work please click here: www.youtube.com/@thenakedcity
