FORMER MI5 agent David Shayler was back in the North-East at the weekend to visit family and watch his beloved Middlesbrough FC.

It was the first time the renegade spy has been to Middlesbrough since his electronic tag was removed. He had to wear the tag while serving the rest of his prison sentence imposed for breaking the Official Secrets Act.

Mr Shayler said he was confident he can get the conviction overturned.

"I am going to try and appeal in this country and will represent myself, but if that fails I will go to Europe and the case law there will back me up," he said.

"It is great to be back in the region because this is where I grew up and I don't often get the chance to watch Boro live."

Mr Shayler plans to make his living from writing and is planning a book on his case and his time at MI5. During his time in France, on the run from the British Government, he wrote a novel called The Organisation.

He may also write a book about Middlesbrough's 1996-97 season and how his fugitive lifestyle affected how he supported the club.