Dear All
Tommy Sheridan and his wife Gail appeared in court today to face perjury charges following his newspaper defamation case against the News of the World.
Both have entered formal pleas of not guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh.
This means that the prosecution is going ahead against them.
Tommy Sheridan was arrested in December 2007 after allegations of lying under oath against the News of the World which he won £200,000 at the Court of Session.
It is unusual for this type of prosecution to be mounted particularly as this wasn’t a criminal case but rather a civil case.
The News of the World published allegations about Sheridan's private life as an adulterer who had visited a swingers' club.
Tommy Sheridan and his wife have always denied the allegations and been critical of the way police have acted against him.
The original case split the Scottish Socialist Party and destroyed it as a political force, Sheridan established a rival party Solidarity which is struggling to make an impact on the political scene.
Sheridan’s case ensured that he and his former colleagues were unelectable at the May 2007 elections which ushered in an SNP Government.
At Court, Sheridan was met by a dozen or so supporters holding Solidarity banners; they are viewing this as a political trial which may have some merit.
It is expected that the trial could be lengthy and no doubt costly but it will generate sales for the News of the World as this soap opera continues.
On top of the trial, Tommy Sheridan is standing for the Westminister seat vacated by Michael Martin.
It seems that Tommy Sheridan will continue to provide entertainment while at the same time attempting to stay out of prison.
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
Tommy Sheridan and his wife Gail appeared in court today to face perjury charges following his newspaper defamation case against the News of the World.
Both have entered formal pleas of not guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh.
This means that the prosecution is going ahead against them.
Tommy Sheridan was arrested in December 2007 after allegations of lying under oath against the News of the World which he won £200,000 at the Court of Session.
It is unusual for this type of prosecution to be mounted particularly as this wasn’t a criminal case but rather a civil case.
The News of the World published allegations about Sheridan's private life as an adulterer who had visited a swingers' club.
Tommy Sheridan and his wife have always denied the allegations and been critical of the way police have acted against him.
The original case split the Scottish Socialist Party and destroyed it as a political force, Sheridan established a rival party Solidarity which is struggling to make an impact on the political scene.
Sheridan’s case ensured that he and his former colleagues were unelectable at the May 2007 elections which ushered in an SNP Government.
At Court, Sheridan was met by a dozen or so supporters holding Solidarity banners; they are viewing this as a political trial which may have some merit.
It is expected that the trial could be lengthy and no doubt costly but it will generate sales for the News of the World as this soap opera continues.
On top of the trial, Tommy Sheridan is standing for the Westminister seat vacated by Michael Martin.
It seems that Tommy Sheridan will continue to provide entertainment while at the same time attempting to stay out of prison.
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
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