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Police probe Sheridan 'bug' claim Police probe Sheridan 'bug' claim
(about 2 hours later)
Police are investigating a complaint from Scottish politician Tommy Sheridan that he has been bugged.Police are investigating a complaint from Scottish politician Tommy Sheridan that he has been bugged.
The Solidarity MSP's staff called in officers on Thursday after a "device" was found in his car while he was travelling back to Holyrood.The Solidarity MSP's staff called in officers on Thursday after a "device" was found in his car while he was travelling back to Holyrood.
Lothian and Borders Police have taken the item away for examination.Lothian and Borders Police have taken the item away for examination.
Mr Sheridan, who last year won a court case against the News of the World, said he had reported the incident to police but declined to comment further. Mr Sheridan said he was "concerned and very angry" but had been told by police not to release any further details. He is due to meet officers on Friday.
The former Scottish Socialist Party leader won £200,000 in damages from the tabloid newspaper over stories which alleged he was a "swinger" and had cheated on his wife Gail. Last year the former Scottish Socialist Party leader won £200,000 in damages from the News of the World over stories which alleged he was a "swinger" and had cheated on his wife Gail.
Appeal hearingAppeal hearing
Following the verdict prosecutors ordered police to carry out a criminal investigation into allegations of perjury during the defamation case.Following the verdict prosecutors ordered police to carry out a criminal investigation into allegations of perjury during the defamation case.
The News of the World is seeking to overturn the court's verdict and an appeal is due to be heard in December.The News of the World is seeking to overturn the court's verdict and an appeal is due to be heard in December.
The tabloid later produced a video it claimed showed Mr Sheridan admitting he had visited a swingers' club.The tabloid later produced a video it claimed showed Mr Sheridan admitting he had visited a swingers' club.
The state has a fine history of trying to destabilise and undermine socialist movements or trade union struggles Tommy SheridanThe state has a fine history of trying to destabilise and undermine socialist movements or trade union struggles Tommy Sheridan
The footage was dismissed as a "concoction" by the MSP, who claimed to be the victim of "sinister forces".The footage was dismissed as a "concoction" by the MSP, who claimed to be the victim of "sinister forces".
After the tape emerged, Mr Sheridan told a press conference that he believed the British state was orchestrating a plot against him.After the tape emerged, Mr Sheridan told a press conference that he believed the British state was orchestrating a plot against him.
He said: "The state has a fine history of trying to destabilise and undermine socialist movements or trade union struggles.He said: "The state has a fine history of trying to destabilise and undermine socialist movements or trade union struggles.
"And when the history of this whole episode is written about, I think you'll find that MI5 certainly was involved.""And when the history of this whole episode is written about, I think you'll find that MI5 certainly was involved."
The trial split the Scottish Socialist Party, with senior members and MSPs giving evidence for both sides.The trial split the Scottish Socialist Party, with senior members and MSPs giving evidence for both sides.
I don't know who would want to bug Tommy Sheridan Colin FoxScottish Socialist Party convenerI don't know who would want to bug Tommy Sheridan Colin FoxScottish Socialist Party convener
The acrimony within the party culminated in Mr Sheridan and another MSP, Rosemary Byrne, leaving to set up the breakaway left-wing party Solidarity.The acrimony within the party culminated in Mr Sheridan and another MSP, Rosemary Byrne, leaving to set up the breakaway left-wing party Solidarity.
Colin Fox, who replaced Mr Sheridan as SSP convener, said he was "flabbergasted" by the latest development.Colin Fox, who replaced Mr Sheridan as SSP convener, said he was "flabbergasted" by the latest development.
The MSP said: "It's another bizarre twist in the tale.The MSP said: "It's another bizarre twist in the tale.
"I'm as surprised as anybody by this. I don't know who would want to bug Tommy Sheridan."I'm as surprised as anybody by this. I don't know who would want to bug Tommy Sheridan.
"I await with interest to find out what this item is that Lothian and Borders Police have picked up.""I await with interest to find out what this item is that Lothian and Borders Police have picked up."