AN EX-SHOP steward at the former Viasystems complex in Selkirk has been charged with perjury in connection with the Tommy Sheridan versus News of The World defamation case in 2006, writes Mark Inchley.
Graeme McIver, now national secretary of the Solidarity party, is one of six people charged in connection with the case within the last two weeks, including the wife and father-in-law of Mr Sheridan, the former Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) leader.
The 39-year-old Borderer gave evidence in the high-profile 23-day Edinburgh trial which resulted in Mr Sheridan being awarded £200,000 in damages after the national newspaper alleged he was a serial adulterer and swinger who used drugs.
However, in December Mr Sheridan was charged with perjury and, last week, three political allies – Mr McIver, former MSP Rosemary Byrne and party member Jock Penman – were also charged after voluntarily appearing at Gayfield police station in Edinburgh for questioning.
A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Police said: "In addition to the 43-year-old man charged with perjury in December, a further two men, who are aged 58 and 39, and a 59-year-old woman have been charged and released. A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal and inquiries are continuing in regard to others."
On Tuesday, Gail Sheridan, 44, and Angus Healy, 71, were the latest to be charged with perjury as a result of the long-running investigation.
It emerged on Wednesday that Pat Smith, a former Holyrood election candidate for Solidarity, was charged on Sunday in connection with the investigation.
