Renegade spy David Shayler returned home at the weekend saying life as a Boro fan had been the perfect preparation for the emotional roller-coaster he has endured during the last three years.

Mr Shayler, 34, has been in Paris for three years after he blew the whistle on alleged illegal activities by MI5 agents.

He returned to Britain last week to face charges of breaking the Official Secrets Act and, at the weekend, came back to Teesside under special bail conditions to watch his beloved Boro lose 2-1 to Leeds United.

Before joining fans at the Riverside, he celebrated his return with a pre-match pint at the Trade Union Centre, in Middlesbrough.

"It's good to be back," he said. "Of all the things I missed when I was in exile, the thing I missed most was the Riverside Stadium. Everything else, such as Branston Pickle, everyone could bring out to me."

He said he had timed his return to Britain to coincide with the start of the football season. "I feel very emotional. It is very strange to be back and I realise what I have missed."

Mr Shayler described the reaction at the Riverside as "overwhelmingly good".

"Lots of people came up to me and shook my hand and said 'Keep up the good work', and a group of fans started singing There's Only One David Shayler."

Mr Shayler, who intends to stand against Tony Blair in his Sedgefield constituency at the next election, said it gave him a clear indication of his level of public support.

But, after seeing his side lose to Leeds, he added: "A lot of people have been saying I should stay away because I'm a jinx."