Sheridan is declared bankrupt over legal bill

FORMER Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan has been declared bankrupt after failing to prove he was the victim of a miscarriage of justice.

The former leader of the Scottish Socialist Party who was jailed for perjury, faces having his income and assets seized to pay an £82,000 legal bill.

It is the latest twist in a saga spanning nearly 20 years which saw claims of swingers’ parties and extramarital affairs aired in Scotland’s highest courts.

The bankruptcy was sought by justice watchdog the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC).

A spokesman said: ‘The SCCRC lodged a petition for sequestration of Mr Sheridan at Glasgow Sheriff Court in April in respect of judicial expenses due by Mr Sheridan to the SCCRC. The petition for sequestration was granted by the court... and the matter is in the hands of a courtappointed trustee.’

Mr Sheridan, pictured, who lives with his wife Gail and daughter Gabrielle in Glasgow, was once one of the most colourful figures in Scottish politics.

In 2004 and 2005 the News of the World newspaper published stories claiming he had gone to swingers’ clubs and had cheated on his wife. The MSP – who categorically denied the allegations – sued the newspaper for defamation. After a trial the jury ruled the newspaper’s false claims had damaged his reputation and he was awarded £200,000 in damages.

Police later began a criminal investigation after the newspaper claimed it had a tape recording which proved Sheridan had lied during the defamation case, and he was charged with perjury.

In 2010, after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow, a jury ruled he had lied at the earlier court case and that, despite his denials, he had visited a swingers’ club.

Sheridan, now 58, appealed to the SCCRC and when it decided he was not the victim of a miscarriage of justice, sought a judicial review of its decision. However, a judge ruled against him and ordered him to pay SCCRC legal expenses of £82,488. Sheridan was yesterday approached for comment.