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Former MSP charged with perjury Three charged over Sheridan case
(about 6 hours later)
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. A female former MSP is among three people who have been charged with perjury in connection with the Tommy Sheridan defamation case.
Lothian and Borders Police confirmed that Rosemary Byrne, 59, was arrested, charged and released on Tuesday. Rosemary Byrne, 59, Jock Penman, 58, and Graham McIver, 39, were arrested and charged over the past week.
The force said a report was being sent to the procurator fiscal. A report is due to be sent to the procurator fiscal.
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.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 to the left-wing politician over a series of lurid allegations about his private life. The News of the World was ordered to pay £200,000 to the politician, who left the Scottish Socialist Party to form left-wing party Solidarity.
'Political witch-hunt' The case focused on a series of lurid allegations the paper made about Mr Sheridan's private life.
We consider this to be nothing more than a political witch-hunt Jim MonaghanSolidarity
However, during the trial, defamation case witnesses gave conflicting evidence about the circumstances of the allegations.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. A spokesman for Solidarity, Jim Monaghan, 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." Party member
The party also said that Mr Penman and Mr McIver had been charged with perjury, although Lothian and Borders Police said they were unable to confirm the charge.
Mr Monaghan said: "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.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."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 and it is understood that Mr Penman is a member of the party.