The millionaire novelist and former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party is not eligible for temporary release on licence over the celebration.

Archer, who spent Christmas Day at Hollesley Bay prison in Suffolk, is expected to spend most of the day locked in his cell.

Archer - who has served 18 months of a four-year sentence - is ineligible for trips home during the week and can only take a release on two weekend days each month.

The 62-year-old celebrated Christmas three days early with his family at home in Grantchester, Cambridgeshire.

Archer's latest novel, Sons of Fortune, was featured among the Christmas bestseller lists.

Former Tory minister Jonathan Aitken enjoyed a six-day break at Christmas 1999 while serving seven months for perjury.