Timeline: Sheridan trial week 11

  • Published

DECEMBER 13 - DECEMBER 17

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 eleventh week of evidence.

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DAY 38 (13 Dec)

Brett Harper, a social worker, told the High Court in Glasgow the politician was targeted because of his opposition to the poll tax.

The Tommy Sheridan perjury trial has been told the former Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) leader was "set up" by the state and jealous colleagues.

Mr Harper, from Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire, said he first met Mr Sheridan as a student member of the SSP, when he organised events which the politician addressed.

He said he hosted similar events for other former SSP MSPs, Frances Curran and Colin Fox.

There was "a lot of jealously and bitterness" towards Mr Sheridan within the party, he said.

Claim Sheridan 'set up by state'

DAY 39 (14 Dec)

The Tommy Sheridan perjury trial has heard that the ex-MSP does not feature in a secret video in which he allegedly confessed to visiting a sex club.

Ian Fitzpatrick said he "knew for a fact" Mr Sheridan was not involved while Philip Stott later claimed it was a "poor caricature" of Mr Sheridan.

The High Court in Glasgow again saw part of the video that Mr Sheridan's best man George McNeilage sold to the News of the World for £200,000 after the defamation case.

The footage is said to feature Mr Sheridan admitting to Mr McNeilage allegations about his private life.

Court told 'not Sheridan on tape'

DAY 40 (15 Dec)

The Tommy Sheridan perjury trial has heard that language used in a secret video alleged to be the former MSP was more like "Cartman from South Park".

Former SSP member Steve Arnott told the High Court in Glasgow a voice on the tape, claimed to be the politician's, had been made to sound like Mr Sheridan.

Mr Arnott also said Mr Sheridan rarely swore, unlike the voice on the tape.

The High Court in Glasgow has previously been shown a video that Mr Sheridan's best man George McNeilage sold to the News of the World for £200,000 after the defamation case.

The footage is said to feature Mr Sheridan admitting to Mr McNeilage allegations about his private life.

Sheridan video 'like South Park'

DAY 41 (16 Dec)

Tommy Sheridan's brother-in-law has denied lying in court and described as "total nonsense" claims he visited a swingers' club with the politician.

Andrew McFarlane, 40, told the High Court in Glasgow that at the time of the alleged sex club visit in 2002 he had been recovering from surgery.

Mr McFarlane, who is married to Gail Sheridan's sister, was giving evidence for a second day.

The former Queen of the South footballer was cross-examined by advocate depute Alex Prentice QC.

He told the prosecutor that a former friend of his and Mr Sheridan's, Gary Clark, was part of a "conspiracy" to make false allegations about a visit to a sex club in Manchester.

Sheridan relative denies sex trip

DAY 42 (17 Dec)

Tommy Sheridan's wife Gail has been acquitted of perjury at the High Court in Glasgow after the Crown dropped the charges against her.

Mrs Sheridan had been accused of making false statements as a witness during her husband's successful defamation case against the News of the World.

News of the acquittal was met with cheers from the public gallery as Mrs Sheridan wept and hugged her husband in the dock.

The judge, Lord Bracadale, then formally cleared her and she was able to leave the court.

Outside court, Mrs Sheridan stood next to her solicitor John-Paul Mowberry, who read a statement on her behalf.

Gail Sheridan cleared of perjury