Paul Ferris, the notorious criminal and underworld figure with connections to organised crime, has died. He was 63. Ferris, who became an author after leaving crime, had spoken earlier this year about his links to the Daniels and Lyons families, who remain embroiled in a bitter gangland feud.
Film projects and neutrality
While working on a sequel to the BAFTA-winning film about his life, The Wee Man, Ferris discussed his connections to both families. The sequel, entitled Ferris, was due to start filming before his death and would cover his life from 1992 to 2002. A third film, Going Straight, was also planned, covering his attempts to go straight after release from prison.
Ferris said: "I know both the families and they know my position. It's always been neutrality." He added: "I don't get involved. I am doing what I am doing. I'm writing books. I earn a living. I am not involved in that world."
Gangland feud and arrests
Ferris was aware of the gang war that has engulfed the Central Belt. More than 60 people have been arrested following a series of firebombings and machete attacks in Edinburgh and Glasgow linked to the two families. The feud erupted in June last year after Eddie Lyons Jnr and Ross Monaghan, senior figures in the Lyons organised crime group, were shot dead in a bar in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol. Michael Riley from Liverpool was later extradited to Spain to stand trial for the murders.
Authorities also saw Steven Lyons, head of the Lyons family, extradited from Holland to Spain to stand trial on money laundering charges, having been deported from Bali in late March.
Ferris's past and death
Ferris first came to public attention in 1992 when he was cleared at the High Court in Glasgow of the murder of Arthur Thompson Jnr, son of crime godfather Arthur Thompson Snr. He was a former enforcer for Thompson Snr and previously spoke about being bullied by members of the Welsh family when he was growing up.
In 1998, Ferris stood trial at the Old Bailey in London where he was convicted of conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons, deal in firearms, and possess explosives. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, later reduced to seven. While in prison, he brought out his first book, The Ferris Conspiracy, which was turned into The Wee Man. He went on to publish four other books, including a novel. Ferris died on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
