Photographic memories

From the drama of a Moscow airport mixup that saw him being labelled a spy to being put in his place by Frank Sinatra, Jeff Holmes reveals the stories behind his amazing images

- BY NORMAN MacDONALD

GIVE US A CLOO Hollywood icon George Clooney visits Social Bite cafe in Edinburgh and poses with staff for a selfie. Left, Jeff with his book

AWARD-WINNING photographer Jeff Holmes has revealed how he was detained by Russian soldiers who accused him of being a spy and had a run-in with Frank Sinatra during his stellar career.

Jeff had flown into Moscow to cover Rangers' Champions League tie against Russian side Alania Vladikavkaz when security staff found a satellite phone and dish in his luggage.

He was immediately escorted to a detention room by soldiers.

Eventually, a Russian woman working for British Airways negotiated Jeff's release, although the Russians took the satellite phone and dish that were to be used to send his photos back to the media in the UK.

In his book Don't Shoot Me-I'm Only the Photographer, Jeff reveals what happened when he tried to explain to the security guard why he had a satellite dish and phone in his luggage.