Irvine Welsh held on drink charge

IRVINE WELSH, author of the book Trainspotting, was arrested for being drunk on a railway station, it emerged yesterday.

Welsh was held in Exeter police cells after a binge which stretched over two days and several counties.

A British Transport Police spokesman said the 41-year-old writer had been arrested on a platform at St David Station in Exeter last Friday evening. He had been "causing problems" in the buffet bar.

Welsh was later released after being given a caution.

Last Wednesday night, he had toasted the London opening of his play You'll Have Had Your Hole, which has been attacked by critics for foul language and violent sex.

He was also celebrating completion of a new single recorded that day with his band Hibee Nation. Welsh's spokesman said: "He had been celebrating and drinking with his friends ever since the gala premiere on Wednesday night. He was very up with it all."

After police released him, he went to a local club, where an official said: "He was jovial, good-natured and good company."