Tommy Sheridan released from prison

STV

Convicted former MSP Tommy Sheridan has been freed from prison after serving just over a year of his three-year sentence for lying during a court case.

The 47-year-old was jailed on January 26 last year for committing perjury during his successful defamation action against the News of the World in 2006.

He was awarded £200,000 in damages after winning the civil case, but a jury at the High Court in Glasgow found him guilty of lying about the now-defunct tabloid's claims that he was an adulterer who visited a swingers' club.

Trial judge Lord Bracadale subsequently handed the former leader of the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) a three-year jail sentence, telling him his decision to pursue the Sunday tabloid for defamation "brought the walls of the temple crashing down" on him.

Sheridan was released from Castle Huntly open prison on Monday morning.

He was met by wife Gail at the entrance to the jail, where they hugged and kissed, before getting into a car to driver the former MSP to his home in Cardonald, Glasgow.

Mr Sheridan confirmed on Monday he will try for a second time to appeal his conviction. Previously, an attempt to appeal it was rejected by the courts.

Speaking outside his home, Sheridan said: "It is a relief to be able to speak personally for once. It seems a long time now since I have been able to speak.

"It's been an absolute delight to be back home with my beautiful wife who I love dearly, and my daughter Gabrielle who I have missed beyond words are able to describe. Up until a couple of hours ago, I didn't know I was going to be able to speak. Up until a couple of hours ago I was still gagged.

"I was told two hours ago that that gag has now been lifted. Unfortunately, although I am not to be gagged today, I will be tagged."

He added: "This fight is far from over. This story has not yet finished. I believe that I will return to Glasgow High Court in the near future. Not as an accused, but as an accuser."

His lawyer, Aamer Anwar, said the new appeal is related to the outcome of the police investigation into alleged perjury during Sheridan's trial.

Mr Anwar said: "Tommy is delighted to be back at home with his family. He intends to make up for lost time as best he can. I have been instructed to prepare a new appeal which will be related to the outcome of Strathclyde Police's investigation into allegations of phone hacking and perjury at Tommy's trial.

"Tommy was told before Christmas by the Scottish Prison Service that on release he could not speak directly to the media. Such a condition would have been a draconian attack on his right to free speech. Over the weekend we stated this would be illegal and challenged it in the courts. The authorities have come to their senses and a gagging order will not be imposed."

Sheridan will be tagged later today and under the terms of his release will have to stay at home between 7.15pm and 7.15am.

At the weekend, Sheridan's lawyer Aamer Anwar said he had been told that prison authorities would try to "gag" him on his release. Mr Anwar promised to seek a judicial review if a public speaking ban features in Sheridan's release conditions.

Speaking on Saturday, Mr Anwar said: "I was aware that this was being imposed. It's unprecedented, absolutely draconian and denies my client the right to earn a living."

Any prisoner serving a sentence of less than four years is currently eligible for automatic early release at the halfway point in their jail term. Sheridan would therefore be entitled to be freed from prison after 18 months.

However, under current provisions, it is possible for individuals to spend up to the last six months of their sentence on home detention curfew (HDC).

This means that they can be freed from prison to live at home but must wear an electronically monitored tag for the remainder of their sentence. Mr Anwar asked how his client could get back to normal life and engage in political activities if the ban is imposed. The Scottish Prison Service refused to comment on individual cases.

During the three-month High Court trial, Sheridan claimed that he was the victim of a "vendetta" by the police and a "conspiracy" involving the Sunday newspaper and former colleagues within the SSP.

In August last year, he was denied the chance to appeal against his conviction, following a ruling by senior judges.

Sheridan's trial was one of the longest of its kind in Scottish legal history. He was convicted of five of six allegations in a single charge of perjury, relating to his evidence during the civil action at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

Sheridan's wife Gail, who vowed to stand by her husband, insisted last year: "The real reason why he's been imprisoned is because he has fought injustice and inequality with every beat of his heart.

"But it won't be long before Tommy is back stronger and continuing the fight."

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