Politician jailed for libel lies

Tommy Sheridan was jailed for three years yesterday after being found guilty of repeatedly lying in a libel trial against the News of the World.

The former Scottish Socialist Party MSP was told by the judge, Lord Bracadale, that he had "brought the walls of the temple crashing down" on himself and his family when he successfully sued the newspaper for £200,000 over the title's claims that he had visited a sex club and conducted adulterous affairs.

Sheridan said he would appeal against his conviction, claiming he was the victim of a vendetta and conspiracy.