Tommy Sheridan’s agony as his mum dies in house fire
FORMER MSP Tommy Sheridan has spoken of his heartbreak after his mother died in a fire at her home over the weekend.
The former Scottish Socialist Party leader announced the news on his social media accounts in the early hours of yesterday.
Alice Sheridan, 84, was pronounced dead at the scene of the fire in Cardonald, Glasgow, on Sunday evening.
Sharing an image of himself and his late mother, the 59-year-old said: ‘Our hearts are broken. Last night in circumstances still being investigated our wonderful mum Alice Sheridan died in a fire within her flat in Cardonald.
‘Alice Sheridan was an incredible mum to us but also a very proud grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, aunt and friend to many.
‘She was Govan born and bred and fought injustice all her life. She was a passionate trade unionist and socialist who believed a better world was possible if enough of us fought for it.
‘She was some wummin. This contribution is painful to write but Alice will never be forgotten and her spirit will live on in our hearts and all those hearts of people who believe in fighting injustice and standing up against poverty and the abuse of power. Rest in eternal peace Mum. RIP Alice Sheridan.’
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) area commander David Murdoch said: ‘We were alerted at 7.49pm on Sunday, March 12, to reports of a dwelling fire at Invergyle Drive, Glasgow.
‘Operations control mobilised four fire appliances and one aerial appliance to the scene, where firefighters extinguished a fire affecting a multi-storey flat. Sadly, one female casualty passed away at the scene.
‘A joint investigation between SFRS and Police Scotland is ongoing.’
Social media users paid tribute to Mr Sheridan’s mother yesterday. Nationalist MP Hannah Bardell wrote: ‘So desperately sorry to read this Tommy, such horrific news.
‘Deep condolences to you and your whole family.’
Another commented: ‘So terribly sorry to hear this Tommy. Most sincere condolences to you and all the family, sorry for your loss. Alice was a wonderful woman.’
Mr Sheridan lives with his wife Gail and daughter Gabrielle in Glasgow. In the late 1990s he formed the Scottish Socialist Party, which eventually went on to have six MSPs.
His mother often stood as a candidate for the party and the Solidarity party which he subsequently led.
In 2004 and 2005, the News of the World published stories claiming he had gone to swingers’ clubs and had cheated on his wife. Mr Sheridan sued for defamation and was awarded £200,000 in damages.
Police later began a criminal investigation after the newspaper claimed it had proof Mr Sheridan had lied and he was charged with perjury.
In 2010, after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow, a jury ruled he had lied and he was sentenced to three years in jail.
‘Her spirit will live on in our hearts’