Archer's porridge hard to swallow

Prison caterers at the Belmarsh Prison are coming under fire from Jeffrey Archer, whose diaries have been serialised in a national newspaper.

The convicted perjurer and former deputy chairman of the Tory party, who is far more at home with Champagne receptions and fine dining, has much to say about prison catering, frequently complaining that he is unable to stomach the offerings.

"One look at what's on offer and I can't face it - overcooked meat, heaven knows from which animal, mushy peas swimming in water and potatoes Oliver Twist would have rejected," he complains in one extract published in the Daily Mail.

In another he claims he is unable to find anything that looks vaguely edible."Turkey, beef, ham and stew are on offer but I am unable to tell which is which and can't bring myself to eat any of it," he said.

The Prison Service refused to talk directly about catering at Belmarsh but has defended its cooks, who, it said, all held City & Guilds qualifications in catering and food hygiene. "The Prison Service provides good quality meals to prisoners from a limited budget," said a spokesman.

Prisoners receive a Continental-style breakfast, snack lunch and main meal plus a supper snack.

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 17-23 October 2002