Sheridan accuses police of vendetta

Published on Saturday 23 February 2008 18:48

TOMMY Sheridan has accused police of carrying out "a vendetta" against him and his wife Gail.

In a furious outburst, the former Scottish Socialist Party leader claimed Lothian and Borders Police were doing "everything in their power to undermine me", following their decision to charge him with perjury. Speaking on his regular Saturday morning radio show, Sheridan claimed the force were both wasting public money and police time in carrying out the inquiry.

He also raged: "They have taken a 44-year-old mother of one and grilled her for six, yes six, hours before charging her. Lothian and Borders Police, I ask you: 'Are you pleased with yourselves?'"

His outburst followed a week in which Gail Sheridan, 44, was first charged with perjury and then suspended from her job as a British Airways air hostess amid allegations of missing alcohol. Yesterday, she denied the allegations, which are said to involve the discovery by police of miniature bottles of drink found at the Sheridan's home in Cardonald, Glasgow.

The couples' perjury charge follows Sheridan's successful defamation case against a Sunday newspaper, in which he was awarded 200,000 damages.

In his first comments since his wife's suspension, Sheridan said: "The police have, in my opinion, been conducting a vendetta, as far as I am concerned. It seems to be the most one-sided inquiry in history."

He added: "What has my wife done? She has done nothing to deserve the treatment which she has been getting. It is beyond a joke. I have got to say that I have changed my view of Lothian and Borders Police. The investigation was not into the trial, but into me. They have tried to do everything in their power to undermine me."

He went on: "How much money has been spent on this inquiry and in whose interests has it been conducted? I am the victim of a vendetta and a set-up."

Lothian and Borders police refused to comment further on the affair yesterday, except to confirm that a 44-year-old woman has been arrested and charged.

The force would not comment on newspaper claims that alcohol miniatures were found in the Sheridan home by officers investigating the perjury allegations.

Aamer Anwar, the Sheridans' solicitor, said: "Both of the Sheridans are determined to prove their innocence and will not be intimidated and bullied by Lothian and Borders Police."

On Gail Sheridan's suspension, Anwar added: "She understands British Airways employment procedures but firmly believes she is now a victim of harassment and intolerable behaviour from Lothian and Borders Police and sections of the press."

A British Airways spokesman said: "A member of cabin crew has been suspended as part of an ongoing investigation."

The latest twist in the case comes three and a half years after he was accused by a Sunday newspaper of committing adultery. He immediately declared his intention to sue.

It is understood that Lothian and Borders Police have already spent 1m and dedicated 40,000 man hours on the perjury allegations.

Showing the strain

Eighteen months on from her husband Tommy's controversial libel action victory, the strain on Gail Sheridan's face is beginning to show.

Charged with perjury in relation to the 2006 case, the British Airways cabin attendant is now also facing theft charges after being suspended following an investigation into allegedly stolen drinks miniatures.

Yesterday, her politician husband labelled the police inquiry a "vendetta". But it all seems to be getting too much for his wife, who appeared tired and drawn.