Playboy jailed over bid to blackmail the Royals killed himself, inquest rules

Future of anti-sectarian law to be considered

A PLAYBOY who tried to blackmail the Royal Family over a gay sex scandal killed himself by taking a lethal cocktail of drugs, an inquest heard.

Ian Strachan, 40, was found dead on Christmas Eve hours after seeing his mother at his plush flat in Marylebone, London, the hearing was told.

Strachan, originally from Aberdeen, claimed to be friends with Princes Harry and William, had registered to three separate practices, two GPs and a private clinic to feed his prescription drug habit.

Strachan, who was born Paul Adalsteinsson, used different names – including Paul Stein – to obtain a vast variety of prescription drugs which he popped “like sweets”, the inquest heard.

He had to have his left leg amputated following a 30ft fall from a balcony in

Ian Strachan was found dead on Christmas Eve.

2013, when he also shattered his pelvis, and was visiting numerous hospitals – including Chelsea and Westminster and St Thomas’ – for surgery.

Strachan was jailed for five years in 2008 after a £50,000 gay sex blackmail plot against a member of

the royal family, but only served half his five-year sentence following a trial at the Old Bailey.

He suffered two heart attacks induced by his heavy cocaine usage and became increasingly violent towards his mother and was also drinking very heavily, the inquest heard. HOLYROOD’S Justice Committee is to examine a proposal to scrap legislation aimed at tackling sectarian behaviour at football.

MSPs are seeking views on Labour MSP James Kelly’s bid to repeal the controversial Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act.

Mr Kelly lodged his member’s bill at the Scottish Parliament last week, highlighting that the law was opposed by lawyers, academics, football fans and every opposition party as it made its way through Parliament.

He said the law had “broken down trust between fans and the police”, and was “well into injury-time”.

The Act came into force in 2012 after the SNP used its majority in the last Parliament to pass it despite a lack of support from other parties.

After losing the majority at the 2016 Holyrood election, the nationalists suffered a symbolic defeat last year when Tory, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green MSPs backed a motion calling for its repeal. Supporters argue it has had a deterrent effect on those who would engage in offensive behaviour.

Justice Committee convener Margaret Mitchell said: “The Act has aroused strong and opposing views about its necessity and effectiveness.

“The committee is keen to hear the full range of opinions about this significant proposal to remove a law from the statute books.” MSPs will look at issues including whether the legislation has assisted in tackling sectarianism.