Same media circus, but Sheridans' latest court visit was very different

THE last time Tommy and Gail Sheridan emerged from a court into the sunshine, they were rejoicing in a record £200,000 damages award and rattled off quotes at breakneck speed to the waiting media circus.

Yesterday, the mood was altogether more sombre, at the beginning of a legal process which accuses the couple of lying their way to that award and threatens them with a prison sentence.

The circus turned out again but had to be content this time with a prepared statement, as the firebrand former MSP and his wife kept their lips firmly buttoned, well-warned that making public comments would be ill-advised while they faced prosecution on perjury charges.

On that heady day 19 months ago at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, football-loving Sheridan had likened his epic defamation victory over Rupert Murdoch's News of the World to Gretna taking on Real Madrid in the Bernabeu and beating them on penalties.

Had he spoken yesterday after he and his wife had stood in the dock at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Sheridan could well have drawn another parallel with Gretna, the club facing a deeply uncertain future.

Dozens of supporters and members of Sheridan's Solidarity party, from as far afield as Ayrshire and the Highlands, according to the banners, had gathered outside the court building to await the pair. There probably had not been such a crowd since the last politician to appear in the court, the fire-raising peer, Mike Watson.

The Sheridan well-wishers chanted: "Rupert Murdoch, you have lied; you're the one that should be tried." Their banners proclaimed that Tommy and Gail's friends were with them, and demanded justice and an end to "the witch-hunt". In a reference to other witnesses at the defamation case who supported Sheridan and who have been questioned by the police, another placard urged the masses to "defend the Sheridan 7".

Not everyone, however, was completely au fait with events. One man, swigging from a can of lager, and, having been told who was due in court, turned to others saying it was "Tommy Sheridan, that football player".

A woman who seemed to be well acquainted with the court and its procedures was more than miffed that Sheridan was expected at 11:30am. She barked: "How is he getting to come in later than everybody else?"

When the couple came into view, a cheer rose up. In his dark suit, white shirt and pink tie, Sheridan could have been mistaken for one of the lawyers. For the occasion, Mrs Sheridan had chosen a conservative outfit of three-quarter length cream coat with black poloneck jumper and black trousers. Not forgetting the sunglasses.

Inside, they did not have long to wait before going in front of Sheriff Nigel Morrison, QC. The two-minute, separate appearances took place in private, and formally set the ball rolling towards a trial some time in the next year.

The couple left the building hand in hand, and with somewhat strained smiles. Their solicitor, Aamer Anwar, spoke and alluded to Mrs Sheridan's other problem: scores of alcohol miniatures and her suspension from her cabin crew job with British Airways.

"Both Mr and Mrs Sheridan appeared on petition in private at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, charged with perjury. They made no plea and no declaration. I would like to emphasise there was no charge of theft," said Mr Anwar.

"The Sheridans would like to thank all of those who have sent hundreds of cards, letters and e-mails of support. They are both honoured and humbled to receive such genuine warmth. As proceedings are now live, it would be inappropriate to comment any further."

The Crown Office said: "Tommy Sheridan, 44, and Gail Sheridan, 44, appeared in private at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation. They were each charged with perjury. Both were admitted to bail."

HOW IT ALL BEGAN BACK IN 2004
IN ARTICLES in late 2004, the News of the World accused Tommy Sheridan of being a "swinger", a man who cheated on his wife with several women and someone who took part in orgies. All of that, the paper claimed, showed him to be a hypocrite, when he had built a reputation in politics as a devoted husband and a man of honesty and integrity.

Sheridan denied all the allegations and sued the paper. He insisted that many witnesses in the trial at the Court of Session had lied against him because of a political civil war within the Scottish Socialist Party, or because they had been paid for stories by the News of the World.

A jury, reduced from 12 because a woman had been discharged to go on holiday, decided by a 7-4 majority that Sheridan had been defamed by false statements in the articles and that he should receive £200,000, the largest award in a defamation case in Scotland.

Sheridan did not receive a penny, however, because the News of the World appealed, thereby freezing the award.

That appeal has been on hold while police carried out an investigation into alleged perjury during the trial.