Naked Rambler may return to Scotland to evade Asbo

STEPHEN Gough, the man known as the Naked Rambler, may be planning a return to Scotland in a bid for ‘freedom’ - despite serving six years in prison north of the border.

Stephen Gough: May make return to Scotland. Picture: Phil Wilkinson

• Stephen Gough considers return to Scotland in order to avoid falling foul of Asbo

• Naked Rambler spent six years in Scottish prisons for refusing to wear clothes in public

The ex-Marine has been issued with an Asbo that bans him from being naked in public in England and Wales.

But the 54-year-old said: “The Asbo doesn’t cover Scotland. Could be, if it wasn’t revoked down here, I’d be freer there.

“Albeit I’d probably get arrested pretty sharpish, at least I’d get a trial.”

Politicians have called Gough’s potential return to Scotland a blow to taxpayers, with one politician calling his decision to walk naked “a laborious stunt.”

Gough accumulated 18 convictions while last in Scotland, with around £500,000 spent on his incarceration and legal fees.

Scottish Tory chief whip John Lamont said: “The last thing taxpayers want is a return to this nonsense.

“The saga may have a funny side to it, but the fact is it’s costing hundreds of thousands of pounds at a time when it can be least afforded.”

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• Peter Ross: 24 hours with the Naked Rambler

• Naked rambler could face jail over ASBO breach