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Sheridan vows to prove innocence Sheridan vows to prove innocence
(29 minutes later)
Former socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan has vowed to clear his name after being charged with perjury.Former socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan has vowed to clear his name after being charged with perjury.
The charges against Mr Sheridan relate to a police inquiry into his defamation case against the News of the World.The charges against Mr Sheridan relate to a police inquiry into his defamation case against the News of the World.
The 43-year-old, who was arrested in Edinburgh while his house in Glasgow was searched, claimed he was the victim of a "political witch-hunt".The 43-year-old, who was arrested in Edinburgh while his house in Glasgow was searched, claimed he was the victim of a "political witch-hunt".
The tabloid was ordered to pay damages after it made a series of allegations about Mr Sheridan's private life.The tabloid was ordered to pay damages after it made a series of allegations about Mr Sheridan's private life.
Talk showTalk show
During the defamation case witnesses gave conflicting evidence about the circumstances of the allegations.During the defamation case witnesses gave conflicting evidence about the circumstances of the allegations.
Two months after the proceedings concluded in August 2006, prosecutors ordered police to carry out a criminal investigation into allegations of perjury.Two months after the proceedings concluded in August 2006, prosecutors ordered police to carry out a criminal investigation into allegations of perjury.
On Sunday lunchtime, nine officers attended Mr Sheridan's family home in the Cardonald area of Glasgow.On Sunday lunchtime, nine officers attended Mr Sheridan's family home in the Cardonald area of Glasgow.
A police team then visited him after he finished his weekly talk show at an Edinburgh radio station.A police team then visited him after he finished his weekly talk show at an Edinburgh radio station.
Police conducted a search at Mr Sheridan's home
He was taken to Gayfield Police Station in the Scottish capital, where he was questioned for eight hours before being charged with perjury.He was taken to Gayfield Police Station in the Scottish capital, where he was questioned for eight hours before being charged with perjury.
Mr Sheridan gave a statement upon his release from custody, in which he vowed to clear his name, no matter how long it took.Mr Sheridan gave a statement upon his release from custody, in which he vowed to clear his name, no matter how long it took.
Police conducted a search at Mr Sheridan's home Outside his home on Monday morning, Mr Sheridan said: "It is nine days before Christmas, my wife has been traumatised, my two-year-old child has been reduced to tears and my house has been ransacked - all by the police.
He said: "I believe this whole farcical inquiry, which has usurped an incredible amount of public resources, has been orchestrated and influenced by the powerful reach of the Murdoch empire and I believe that I am the victim of a witch-hunt from the Murdoch empire. "I am furious. My life is on hold until this is cleared up. I will fight the accusations against me."
"I will prove my innocence in the fullness of time."
He added: "I now look forward to going back and hugging my wife and my two-year-old child, who has had to go through the very, very frightening experience of having nine police officers invade her home.
"She should have been at a Christmas party today, but instead she has had to suffer that ignominy."
His solicitor, Aamer Anwar, said Sheridan maintained his innocence and condemned the "excessive actions" of Lothian and Borders Police.His solicitor, Aamer Anwar, said Sheridan maintained his innocence and condemned the "excessive actions" of Lothian and Borders Police.
Party splitParty split
A spokesperson for the News of the World - which is owned by Rupert Murdoch - said they did not wish to comment.A spokesperson for the News of the World - which is owned by Rupert Murdoch - said they did not wish to comment.
Mr Sheridan, the former leader of the Scottish Socialist Party, won his case against the newspaper after a four-week hearing at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.Mr Sheridan, the former leader of the Scottish Socialist Party, won his case against the newspaper after a four-week hearing at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
When the Scottish Socialists split, Mr Sheridan, a father-of-one, formed the rival Solidarity party, but neither he nor his former colleagues were returned to Holyrood in the May 2007 elections.When the Scottish Socialists split, Mr Sheridan, a father-of-one, formed the rival Solidarity party, but neither he nor his former colleagues were returned to Holyrood in the May 2007 elections.