Via the Press Association
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/disgraced-tommy-sheridan-jailed-for-three-years-2194651.html
Disgraced socialist politician Tommy Sheridan vowed to keep fighting as he was jailed for three years for perjury.
The former MSP described his punishment for lying to the courts during his successful defamation action against the News of the World in 2006 as "heartbreaking".
After being sentenced, he announced his intention to appeal against his conviction.
In a statement read outside court by his solicitor, Aamer Anwar, he said: "This multi-million pound prosecution will separate me from my wife and child and that will be heartbreaking. But I will continue to fight a system that protects the real criminals - the rich and powerful."
After a three-month trial at the High Court in Glasgow, Sheridan, 46, was found guilty in December of lying about the newspaper's claims that he was an adulterer who visited swingers' clubs.
Sheridan's wife Gail, who has vowed to stand by her husband, was also accused of lying to the jury at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, but she was acquitted when the Crown dropped the case against her last month.
Mrs Sheridan sat in court, as close as possible to her husband, as the judge Lord Bracadale delivered his sentence. She led the former Celebrity Big Brother contestant's family, friends and comrades in a one-fisted salute as he was led, handcuffed, to the cells.
Outside court, Mrs Sheridan said: "Tommy has dedicated his life to helping others. The real reason why he's been imprisoned today is because he has fought injustice and inequality with every beat of his heart.
"But it won't be long before Tommy is back stronger and continuing the fight."
Before he was sentenced, Sheridan, who conducted his own defence for most of the trial, said: "I remain a passionate socialist and am determined to put to positive use my time in custody."
Copyright © 2011 The Press Association. All rights reserved.
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16 comments:
So x=3.
I do not think that Lord Bracadale could have handed down a shorter sentence than three years. He hasn't given anyone an opportunity to call Tommy Sheridan a martyr. Very sensible.
Sheridan took a calculated risk that this would not happen when he sued the NoTW in 2006. It was a gamble he has just lost. Some might say that he was always going to lose the gamble.
That's my view. Now I am looking forward to hearing James' view of it all.
Contrition shortens a sentance, Martyrdom prolongs it.
you're just stealing copyrighted PA copy, now?
I am indeed anon, If you don't tell Cordelia I would be grateful.
Are we sure he doesn't honestly believe that this is all a carefully orchestrated conspiracy to deny the working men of Scotland the voice of their anointed leader?
And that a lie told for the benefit of the cause is a moral imperative?
Met Police launch fresh enquiry after receiving 'significant new information'. At the same time, it is revealed that Ian Edmonson has been sacked by NOTW.
Mark my words, Rupert Murdoch will be eating coulson spiced sacrificial lamb for his easter lunch. It's all falling into place with the other civil cases, Coulson will be very shortly regretting what he had to say at this trial.
From the beeb on Ian Edmonson "A source said a trawl of his e-mails had found "highly damaging evidence" that had been passed to the police."
I have my doubts about any NOTW appeal.
i was watch the news this afternoon and seen the banner behind tommy on the way into court.
SCOTLANDS REAL SHAME
GOOGLE HOLLIE GREIG
well done to whoever held it up hightlighting this cause.
Thanks again James for your brilliant journalism over the last few months. A real example, and threat, to the tired old embedded journos. Good to see you praised in the Scottish Review.
Buck_T said...
"Mark my words, Rupert Murdoch will be eating coulson spiced sacrificial lamb for his easter lunch. It's all falling into place with the other civil cases, Coulson will be very shortly regretting what he had to say at this trial."
**
Regardless of what Murdoch digests on Good Friday, it won't alter the verdict on Sheridan's perjury trial. TS is a convicted liar. He can thank his own hubris and stupidity for instigating an erroneous libel trial and asking those he perceived as his minions to commit political hari kari by supporting him. And he can thank his boyhood friend and self proclaimed life long Socialist, George McNeilage for sealing the deal.
GlasgowX said...
"Thanks again James for your brilliant journalism over the last few months. A real example, and threat, to the tired old embedded journos. Good to see you praised in the Scottish Review."
**
I second that emotion.
High quality reporting.
What a world we live in - will Andy Coulson be arranged on the perceived charge of perjury now that we know the "News of the World" was up to no good?
Hi not politically affilliated said...
I wasn't attempting to suggest that the goings on at the News of the World had any bearing on this trial, just that a horrendous organisation looks to finally be on the brink of being brought to book themselves. As TS said himself to Ponsoby, the irony of ironies will be Coulson appearing in the same court on the same charge.
Whatever the rights and wrongs of TS's legal sorties, I don't think anyone can now argue that the orginal story the NOTW printed was 100% made up. For that alone, no matter what other lifestyle choices he makes (and who's business is it anyway) I think he had an undeniable right to seek redress for.
Lord Bracadale also said:
"You led the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) to considerable electoral success and your contributions to the anti-poll tax campaign and the abolition of warrant sales will become part of the fabric of Scottish social and political history."
Aint that a fact. To those in the SSP who only made it to Holyrood on Sheridan's back those words should mean even more than to the rest of us. None of them, not one, would ever have made it to the Scottish Parliament without him.
Jo G said...
"None of them, not one, would ever have made it to the Scottish Parliament without him."
I'm not so sure about that.
Would he have made it to the Scottish Parliament without the SSP? Did the 3,000 members and activist count for nothing?
Going by the votes in 2007 Sheridan would be a sitting member of the parliament right now if he hadn't split the party. As it is he's sitting in a jail cell planning his appeal.
In times of difficulty we must not lose sight of our achievements, must see the bright future and pluck up our courage.
MAO.
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