Sheridan: Elect me – then sack me if you want after 6 months

Published on Tuesday 13 October 2009 22:05

TOMMY Sheridan has asked voters to put him on a "short-term contract" as MP for Glasgow North East, suggesting they can kick him out at the next general election if he's not up to scratch.

Beginning his campaign for the 12 November by-election, the former MSP said voters could put him on probation until next year, when he is expected in court to answer charges of perjury.

The Solidarity leader also claimed the case would not begin until after the general election, meaning he would be free until then to concentrate on parliamentary duties.

Both Mr Sheridan and his wife Gail will face the perjury charge next year, three years after his court victory over the News of the World in 2006, when a jury awarded him damages of 200,000 after the paper published lurid sex and drugs allegations against him.

The trial judge remarked at the time that conflicting evidence in the case meant some witnesses might have committed perjury. In January, the Sheridans were issued with papers confirming the charge.

But Mr Sheridan said yesterday: "If people are worried, put me on a short-term contract. There is going to be a general election: give me a try over the next six months.

"I am confident that I will prove to be a champion for this area," he went on. "And if you think after six months you have made a mistake, you will have a chance to rectify it."

He also revealed that, weeks after sacking Donald Findlay as his lawyer, he had hired another high-profile QC, Maggie Scott, who until recently acted for Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi.

He said that the change in his legal team meant the trial date had now been put back, claiming it would not take place until after the general election. He remained "absolutely confident" that he would be found not guilty of any wrongdoing.

Labour remain favourites to win the by-election for the seat previously held by Michael Martin, the former Speaker who retired following his handling of the expenses debacle. "I do think we have a realistic chance of winning," said Mr Sheridan.

He also claimed his impending court case could give him an advantage as an MP.

He said: "I would be in Glasgow, unlike the other representatives who will be in London. During any trial I will still ensure that if any constituents have problems and issues they will be able to raise them at the local office I will open."

Mr Sheridan said: "It is time to squeeze the rich until the pips squeak and to make the millionaires pay for the crisis they have caused with their greed and their obscene salaries."

He added: "We will also use this election to argue for the complete withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan."