THE former editor of the now closed Scottish News of the World has been charged by police in connection with a trial involving the ex MSP, Tommy Sheridan.
Earlier today, it was reported that Bob Bird had been detained under Section 14 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice during a trial six years ago when Sheridan successfully sued the paper for defamation, following claims about his private life.
Now, Strathclyde Police issued the following statement: “Officers of Operation Rubicon of Strathclyde Police arrested and charged a 56 year-old man with allegedly attempting to pervert the course of justice in 2006, arising from his conduct at the time of the defamation action of Thomas Sheridan versus News Group Newspapers Ltd. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal at Glasgow in due course. Editors are reminded that proceedings are now active and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
At a subsequent trial, two years ago, Sheridan was found guilty of having perjured himself, resulting in him serving one year in prison, as part of a three-year sentence.
The News of the World – both its London and Scottish editions – was closed last year (pictured) amid allegations of phone-hacking.
The BBC website is carrying a video interview with Bird, saying: “I just want to say that I’m really sad and disappointed that things have come to this, today.
“I have always tried to do the right thing throughout my 30/40-odd years in journalism and I will be denying the charge that has been placed against me.”
Earlier this month, a former news editor at the Scottish News of the World, Douglas Wight, was arrested and charged with perjury, regarding the 2010 Sheridan trial.
