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Sheridan says 'nothing to fear' Sheridan ready to 'take on fight'
(about 4 hours later)
Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan has told BBC Scotland he has nothing to fear from a perjury investigation ordered by the Crown Office. Tommy Sheridan has said he is ready to "take on" the News of the World after it claimed it had a tape which showed the MSP admit visiting a sex club.
Police are to look into allegations witnesses lied during his defamation trial against the News of the World. The socialist politician said the tape was concocted and dodgy and he had been the victim of a stitch-up from day one.
Mr Sheridan also said a tape which the tabloid claimed showed the MSP admit visiting a sex club was a pack of lies. The member of the Scottish Parliament said: "If you want a fight, come ahead, we'll take you on."
The newspaper said the tape had been verified by four voice analysts, who agreed Mr Sheridan was featured. The newspaper said the tape had been verified by four voice analysts who agreed Mr Sheridan was featured.
Mr Sheridan, a Glasgow list MSP, said the tape was manufactured. But Mr Sheridan, a Glasgow list MSP, said the tape was manufactured.
"I don't think this concocted tape has done us any damage whatsoever," he said. "I saw with my own eyes when we made party political broadcasts what we can do with computer graphics as far as voices are concerned," he said.
"I saw with my own eyes when we made party political broadcasts what we can do with computer graphics as far as voices are concerned."
The tape is reportedly a recording by George McNeilage, who was one of Mr Sheridan's best men at his wedding.The tape is reportedly a recording by George McNeilage, who was one of Mr Sheridan's best men at his wedding.
Euan McColm, the Scottish political editor of the News of the World, said: "Tommy Sheridan's claim that the tape is faked isn't credible."Euan McColm, the Scottish political editor of the News of the World, said: "Tommy Sheridan's claim that the tape is faked isn't credible."
Conflicting evidenceConflicting evidence
Details of the alleged recording were published 24 hours before the Crown Office instructed police to establish if witnesses lied during Mr Sheridan's recent defamation case against the News of the World.Details of the alleged recording were published 24 hours before the Crown Office instructed police to establish if witnesses lied during Mr Sheridan's recent defamation case against the News of the World.
It is understood the two developments are not directly linked.It is understood the two developments are not directly linked.
Mr Sheridan said: "Those of us who told the truth in court have absolutely nothing to fear."Mr Sheridan said: "Those of us who told the truth in court have absolutely nothing to fear."
The MSP won £200,000 in August after successfully suing the News of the World over allegations about his private life.The MSP won £200,000 in August after successfully suing the News of the World over allegations about his private life.
Newspaper editor Bob Bird said welcomed the inquiry decision Mr Sheridan says a tape of an alleged conversation is fake
The newspaper's Scottish Editor Bob Bird welcomed news of the police inquiry and said the paper would co-operate fully.The newspaper's Scottish Editor Bob Bird welcomed news of the police inquiry and said the paper would co-operate fully.
The 23-day case heard a series of witnesses give conflicting statements about alleged events and meetings involving Mr Sheridan.The 23-day case heard a series of witnesses give conflicting statements about alleged events and meetings involving Mr Sheridan.
Among those who testified against him were 11 members of the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP), who Mr Sheridan accused of trying to oust him from the party.Among those who testified against him were 11 members of the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP), who Mr Sheridan accused of trying to oust him from the party.
The members told the defamation trial that Mr Sheridan had admitted visiting a swingers club in Manchester at a party meeting in November 2004.The members told the defamation trial that Mr Sheridan had admitted visiting a swingers club in Manchester at a party meeting in November 2004.
Four of Mr Sheridan's party colleagues backed his account of that discussion, insisting he had made no such admission.Four of Mr Sheridan's party colleagues backed his account of that discussion, insisting he had made no such admission.
The trial and its outcome led to public acrimony within the SSP which culminated in Mr Sheridan and another MSP Rosemary Byrne leaving to set up the breakaway left-wing party Solidarity. The trial and its outcome led to public acrimony within the SSP which culminated in Mr Sheridan and another MSP, Rosemary Byrne, leaving to set up the breakaway left-wing party Solidarity.