Timeline: Sheridan trial week five

  • Published

NOVEMBER 1-5

Former Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan, 46, is on trial accused of perjury.

His wife Gail, 46, also faced perjury charges which have now been dropped.

It is claimed Mr Sheridan lied in court so that he could successfully sue the News of the World in 2006.

The former MSP won £200,000 in damages after the newspaper printed allegations about his private life, claiming that he was an adulterer who had visited a swingers club.

Following a police investigation, Mr Sheridan was charged with perjury. He denies the allegations.

Here, is a summary of the fifth week of evidence

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DAY NINETEEN (1 Nov)

A retired head teacher has told the Tommy Sheridan perjury trial that his defamation victory against the News of the World was an "OJ moment".

Elizabeth Quinn also said she was "led to believe" Mr Sheridan may have had sex with Anvar Khan at her home in 2003 while the journalist was staying there.

Mr Sheridan asked Miss Quinn on whether she had told the police that finding out about the verdict was "an OJ moment".

Miss Quinn agreed that she had.

Mr Sheridan called the comparison "tasteless, insensitive and very silly".

Sheridan victory was 'OJ moment'

DAY TWENTY (2 Nov)

Tommy Sheridan has accused a witness at his perjury trial of being "the snitch" who told a paper about his resignation as Scottish Socialist Party leader.

Alan McCombes denied being cynical by talking to the press and insisted he did so to protect the party from Mr Sheridan's "smears and lies".

The former MSP, who is representing himself in the perjury trial, cross-examined Mr McCombes for a second day at the High Court in Glasgow.

Mr Sheridan has previously questioned witnesses from the SSP about a "plot to undermine me politically" and a "cabal" against him.

But Mr McCombes told the trial: "I wasn't involved in any faction within the SSP. I argued against that."

'Snitch' claim at Sheridan trial

DAY TWENTY-ONE (3 Nov)

A man has told the Tommy Sheridan perjury trial he saw the former MSP in 2002 at the swingers' club where he worked.

Tony Cumberbirch, 53, told the High Court in Glasgow that the club was for "wife swapping" and Mr Sheridan was there with other "Scottish" customers.

He also claimed to have removed Mr Sheridan's name from the register after being asked for a favour by a friend.

Mr Sheridan later claimed that the managers of Cupid's had told police that they did not recognise him as being there.

Mr Cumberbirch replied: "You are home and dry then - you are laughing."

Worker 'saw Sheridan at sex club'

The perjury trial is adjourned on 4 November.

DAY TWENTY-TWO (5 Nov)

Former politician Tommy Sheridan was secretly recorded discussing allegations about his private life, a court has heard.

George McNeilage, who went to school with Mr Sheridan and was his best man, said he made the tape in November 2004.

Mr McNeilage told the High Court in Glasgow that he initially decided to video tape Mr Sheridan because of the way he had spoken about some "good, good people".

He kept it secret until he saw a newspaper article in which Mr Sheridan denounced members of the SSP as "scabs" following his libel win.

Mr McNeilage said he felt "physically sick" when he saw the comments, and decided to contact the News of the World about the tape.

Under cross-examination from Sheridan, who is conducting his own defence, Mr McNeilage said Sheridan`s suggestion that the tape was a fake were "absolute fantasy land".

Friend 'secretly taped' Sheridan