The "rogue trader", Mr Nick Leeson, arrived home in Britain yesterday following his release from a maximum-security prison in Singapore. Mr Leeson - who was jailed four years ago for illegal dealings that led to the downfall of Barings Bank - said that he "wasn't proud of his actions".
The 32 year-old trader - shaven-headed after chemotherapy for cancer - looked tired and bemused at the frenzy of press attention. On his arrival at Heathrow Airport he was taken directly to a press conference in a nearby hotel, where he said: "I want to state clearly here that I know I did wrong".
"I am not proud of my activities as a trader with Baring's Bank in Singapore. I was foolish and very much regret what happened," he added.
Mr Leeson was originally sentenced for 6 1/2 years but was released early for good behaviour. Speaking of his time in prison, he said: "I would not pretend that my time in Tanah Merah was easy. The regime was tough - but I must add that it was ultimately fair too."
"When I entered prison for the first time, one of the first things that was said to me was `now you will find out who your friends are'," he said. "Nothing could be more true. I have found out who my friends are - and I would like to thank them for their support."
His wife Lisa, who stood by him when the scandal first erupted, divorced him and married another City trader when the full extent of his dishonesty was revealed. During his time in Tanah Merah, Mr Leeson also developed cancer and had an operation to remove parts of his intestine and colon. Despite the fact that the operation was successful, there is still a 30 per cent chance of the cancer returning.
"One of the things I will be doing", he said, "is continuing the treatment I have been having for the cancer which was discovered while I was in jail. The doctors who treated me in Singapore were very good indeed. They have told me that the course of chemotherapy went well - but that I still need to have more treatment . . ."
"I've done my time", he said philosophically, "and I want to get on with the job of rebuilding my life." It is reported that he has sold the story of his part in the downfall of Barings Bank to the Daily Mail for £100,000.
A High Court order has frozen his assets however, and he has to give two days notice to liquidators investigating the Barings collapse before he spends any money. He is also prevented from profiting from the revenue generated by his autobiography - Rogue Trader - or the recently released film of the same name.
His lawyer, Mr Stephen Pollard - who accompanied him on the first class flight home - said that he did not foresee the British police taking any action against Leeson. He added that the former trader felt he "was the only one who really paid a serious price" for the bank's collapse.
Barings shareholders - many of whom lost their life savings - disagree with this. As they struggle to recover from Mr Leeson's £850 million losses - the "rogue trader" himself says he is looking forward to "the ordinary things - like being able to have a cup of tea, or a drink with my mates - when I want to, where I want to".
"Simple things like these have come to mean a lot to me", he said.