'Naked Rambler' is freed from prison and vows to continue nude crusade

Naked Rambler: Stephen Gough has been released from prison.© STV

Naked Rambler Stephen Gough has tasted his first day of freedom in six years as he vowed to continue walking around Britain with no clothes on.

Former marine Gough said his time spent behind bars had flown by but added that he was looking forward to seeing his children for the first time in years.

Gough was spoken to by police when he was freed from Perth Prison on Monday, but was then allowed to go on his way in an apparent shift in Tayside Police force policy.

On the last few occasions he has been immediately arrested by officers waiting for him at the gates, but yesterday he was given the go-ahead to walk off despite being naked.

He said: "My opinion is that the police have thought 'the guy's not going to give up so let's have a think about it'. Something has changed and it is good news for me. What they were doing before was pre-empting complaints and now they are not. The first thing I have to do is look through my stuff as I haven't seen it in six years.

"I am going to head south and see what happens. I haven't seen my kids for ages. It's not all free and easy for me as I might get arrested at any moment. I don't really know what I am going to do. I could get arrested when I go round the next corner. I want to see my mum as I haven't seen her for six years.

"This is my job. This is my vocation in life at the moment. I have absolutely no regrets, especially now. I think I have partially proved my point by making the police think more carefully about the issue."

Gough, 53, who completed a 657-day sentence on Monday, revealed that he had spent the vast majority of his time in solitary confinement in maximum security Perth Prison.

On his last release, Gough was arrested within 60 seconds and sentenced to 657 days imprisonment at Perth Sheriff Court for breaching the peace.

Gough appeared naked in the court dock and was also found guilty of contempt of court for failing to display the "decency" required by the court process.

He had claimed being arrested for walking around naked was a breach of his human rights and his right to freedom of expression.

Sheriff Fletcher said: "The court expects people to come here in a decent state of dress. That has been explained to you in the past. I gave you the opportunity to dress yourself."

Gough has spent the vast majority of the past decade behind bars because of his refusal to put on any clothing.

He initially earned the title Naked Rambler by walking unclothed from Lands End to John O'Groats after quitting his job as a lorry driver.

Gough, from Hampshire, said: "What I am doing is based on my belief about what I am and what I am is not indecent. Ordinary people have prejudices and intolerances."

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