A massive campaign to protect the prison was launched when the controversial closure proposal was announced following a review of Scotland's jails.

Now campaigners are claiming victory following the reports that ministers are set to back down.

This is a total vindication of the campaign by the prison officers' partners and a total humiliation for the Scottish Prison Service hierarchy

Alex Salmond MP

However, the Scottish Executive has refused to confirm or deny the speculation.

And Deputy Justice Minister Richard Simpson told BBC Radio Scotland that the decision had not yet been taken by the cabinet.

Several newspapers reported on Friday that ministers have backed down over the proposal.

The closure of Peterhead, which holds about 300 sex offenders, was recommended in the Prisons Estates Review in March.

It also called for the closure of Low Moss jail near Bishopbriggs, in East Dunbartonshire, and the construction of three private prisons.

Public consultation

The Victorian prison at Peterhead has built up an international reputation as a model for the treatment of those jailed for sex crimes.

Proposals to close the jail were met with anger from local people, leading legal figures and the staff at the jail.

A petition calling for the facility to be retained was signed by almost 200 inmates, while prison officers' wives also campaigned against closure.

A campaign was mounted to save the jail

The public consultation process on the plans produced only one letter in favour of closing Peterhead.

Reports of a U-turn were welcomed by Scottish National Party MP Alex Salmond, who campaigned against the closure.

The MP for Banff and Buchan said: "This is a total vindication of the campaign by the prison officers' partners and a total humiliation for the Scottish Prison Service hierarchy.

"Peterhead Prison must move into a secure future with the investment required to build on this centre of excellence and its worldwide reputation."

Speaking on behalf of the Prison Officers' Partners Committee, Christine Wood said: "We are all absolutely delighted at the news and are already celebrating.

'Common sense'

"However, we are all very conscious of the fact that we need a long-term future for Peterhead, rather than a short-term fix."

The Chief Inspector of Prisons, Clive Fairweather, said that if the reports were true "we are all winners".

"It is a victory for common sense, and one of the things about common sense it that it is not very common," he told BBC Radio Scotland.

However, Dr Simpson refused to confirm or deny the newspaper reports that the jail would be saved.

Jim Wallace and I have repeatedly stated in parliament that we recognise the excellent work that has been done at Peterhead

Richard Simpson Deputy justice minister

"We will announce our decision on this matter to parliament," he said.

"The decision, I can tell you, has not yet been made.

"It will be considered by the cabinet in a few weeks time."

Dr Simpson said that he and the justice minister had promised to listen carefully to everything said during the consultation process.

"Jim Wallace and I have repeatedly stated in parliament that we recognise the excellent work that has been done at Peterhead, the ethos that has been created there and the good work that has been done with very difficult sex offenders," he added.

"Anything we do must not disrupt that. That has been an important element in the consideration that we have been giving."