An author who gave true crime talks in the island has been challenged on his claims about interviewing serial killers.

Paul Harrison, a self-proclaimed ’experienced criminal profiler’, had a publisher withdraw his book Mind Games from sale after his ’exclusive interviews’ with Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy and other killers were called into question.

He also claimed he worked closely with the FBI’s Behavioural Science Unit. The Guardian stated that seven former FBI agents who worked at Quantico in Virginia, when Mr Harrison claims to have been there, denied knowing him or that he would have interviewed Bundy and Gacy.

The former Northamptonshire policeman gave two sell-out talks at Woodbourne House, Douglas, on February 21 and 22. His shows, titled ’An Evening with Paul Harrison - Interviews with a Serial Killer’, were organised through The Sporting and Dining Club, which brings speakers and celebrities from around the world to the island.

We contacted John Wannenburgh of the club. He declined to give a comment.

Tickets to hear Mr Harrison cost £25. Attendees could purchase some of his 33 books, many of which are categorised under true crime, with Mr Harrison signing on the night.

Urbane Publications, which issued Mind Games in 2018, announced: ’You may have seen the article on the Sun website calling into question the veracity of Paul Harrison’s claim to be an experienced criminal profiler.

’Like everyone who worked with Paul Harrison, the attendees to his talks and the readers of his books, we are very concerned by these revelations and are currently seeking clarification before deciding what further action to take.

’However, with immediate effect we will be withdrawing Mind Games from sale and endeavouring to remove all stock and details from every relevant retail channel. We will also be donating any profits we have secured thus far from the sales of Mind Games to charities that help and support victims of violent crime.’