This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7245995.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Former MSP held in perjury probe Former MSP charged with perjury
(about 1 hour later)
Former MSP Rosemary Byrne, who gave evidence on behalf of Tommy Sheridan during his defamation case against the News of the World, has been arrested. A former MSP who gave evidence on behalf of Tommy Sheridan during his defamation case against the News of the World has been charged with perjury.
Lothian and Borders Police confirmed that a 59-year-old woman had been arrested in connection with "an ongoing inquiry". Lothian and Borders Police confirmed that Rosemary Byrne, 59, was arrested, charged and released on Tuesday.
The force said a report was being sent to the procurator fiscal.The force said a report was being sent to the procurator fiscal.
Mr Sheridan, the former leader of the SSP and Glasgow MSP, was charged with perjury last December. Mr Sheridan, the former leader of the SSP and Glasgow MSP, was charged with perjury last December in connection with the damages case he won in 2006.
The News of the World was ordered to pay £200,000 damages in 2006 over a series of lurid allegations about Mr Sheridan's private life. The News of the World was ordered to pay £200,000 to the left-wing politician over a series of lurid allegations about his private life.
However during the trial, defamation case witnesses gave conflicting evidence about the circumstances of the allegations. 'Political witch-hunt'
However, during the trial, defamation case witnesses gave conflicting evidence about the circumstances of the allegations.
Two months after the proceedings concluded, prosecutors ordered police to carry out a criminal investigation into allegations of perjury.Two months after the proceedings concluded, prosecutors ordered police to carry out a criminal investigation into allegations of perjury.
A spokesman for Solidarity confirmed that Ms Byrne had been charged with perjury on Tuesday.
Jim Monaghan added: "We consider this to be nothing more than a political witch-hunt."
He said Ms Byrne would not be speaking publicly on the matter, but added that she had co-operated fully with the police investigation.
"She [Ms Byrne] went voluntarily to the police station, was interviewed and cautioned and was released afterwards," said Mr Monaghan.
Ms Byrne is co-convenor of Solidarity, the socialist party formed by Tommy Sheridan after he left the SSP.Ms Byrne is co-convenor of Solidarity, the socialist party formed by Tommy Sheridan after he left the SSP.