Tommy Sheridan and wife Gail appear in court on perjury charges

FORMER Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan and his wife Gail were in Edinburgh Sheriff Court to face perjury charges today.

The couple made no comment as they entered the court. They were due to appear in private on petition.

Mr Sheridan was charged with perjury in December after an investigation into allegations of lying under oath during his successful £200,000 action against the News of the World at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

His wife, who was dressed in black trousers, short beige trench coat and dark glasses, was charged with perjury last month.

The News of the World had published sex and drug claims against the former Glasgow MSP.

The perjury investigation was launched after a judge said conflicting evidence in the trial might have meant some people were perjuring themselves.

Mr Sheridan, 44, and his 44-year-old wife have denied the allegations and criticised the way Lothian and Borders Police handled the investigation.

Around 30 members of Mr Sheridan's Solidarity party and supporters of the Defend Tommy Sheridan campaign held a protest outside the court to support him.

They held banners saying "Solidarity" and a large banner which said "Tommy and Gail, your friends are with you".