Sheridan's wife cleared of theft

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Gail Sheridan, wife of socialist ex-MSP Tommy Sheridan, will return to work after being cleared by airline bosses of allegations of theft.

Mrs Sheridan, 44, was suspended from her job as British Airways cabin crew in February after accusations involving alcohol miniatures.

A short disciplinary hearing on Wednesday found the mother-of-one innocent.

Mrs Sheridan said she was delighted at the outcome.

She added: "I am obviously relieved to be reinstated to the job I have loved for 23 years." Those who initially threw this muck at me should hang their heads in shame Gail Sheridan

But she also spoke of her anger after being wrongly accused following many years of service and with an "unblemished record".

She said: "The relief is, however, tarnished with anger that I have had to endure the stress and shame of being accused of theft.

"An accusation which was always malicious but without foundation from the start. Those who initially threw this muck at me should hang their heads in shame."

A British Airways spokesman confirmed a disciplinary process involving a member of cabin crew had been completed and no further action would be taken.

BA suspended Mrs Sheridan after being contacted by Lothian and Borders Police, who searched the Sheridans' home in December in connection with a separate investigation.

The couple and five others were charged with perjury over Mr Sheridan's successful damages action against the News of the World in 2006.

Mr Sheridan, a former MSP who left the Scottish Socialists to set up Solidarity, was awarded £200,000 damages over the paper's claims that he was a serial adulterer and swinger who used drugs.