Tommy Sheridan trial: Moment he admitted taking part in group sex

Published on Thursday 23 December 2010 18:15

THE room is spare. The question blunt. In an interview suite at Lothian and Borders Police headquarters, Tommy Sheridan is literally backed into a corner, leaning against the wall with his head resting on his hand. An officer asks frankly: "Have you ever been involved in group sex?"

Sheridan, wearing a black jumper, pauses for a few seconds then replies: "Em, I reckon, up to and when I got out of the prison, there's been times when I've been involved wi' other… more than one participating partners in sex."

The moment the former MSP admitted to group sex is one of five extraordinary scenes taken from filmed police interviews released yesterday.

During the interrogation of Gail Sheridan, the former BA air hostess and mother of one, is in a dark top and trousers, with a mood to match. She refuses to answer any police questions and states: "Based on legal advice from my senior counsel, Mr Paul McBride, I intend to make no further comment."

The tape then moves on and shows Mrs Sheridan in the corner staring away from the investigating officer who, in a moment of unintended comedy, compares her behaviour to that of a hardened terrorist.

Police: "Gail I must ask you at this time, who's schooled you to make no co… or to sit and focus at one point on the wall. It's a recognised PIRA, IRA, whatever, form of terrorism technique, focus on a spot on the wall, at the table, focus at the roof, focus at the bin, say nothing."

Tommy Sheridan is shown being charged. He seems blank, exhausted but indefatigable. Police: "I'm about to charge you. You're not obliged to say anything in answer to the charge, but anything you do say may be noted, will be recorded and may be used in evidence. Do you understand?" Sheridan: "Yes".

In an interview before the end of the trial, Sheridan said he believed the News of the World stunted the tape that showed his confession, using an impersonator to achieve his distinctive voice, but to police, he answers either yes or no. Police: "But you can accept it is George McNeilage that's on that tape?"

Sheridan: "Yes".

Police: "Is the other person you?"

Sheridan: "No".

A final scene shows Sheridan being questioned about tele-phone calls. Police: Can you explain the reason for this sequence of calls?"

Sheridan: "Not at all.I phoned all of them, except Ms Khan, on a semi-regular basis."

The Crown Office has released documents surrounding the trial, including entries in Sheridan's diary for 27 September, 2002, the date he visited Cupid's, together with typed and handwritten minutes from an SSP meeting on 9 September, 2004, when he admitted going to the club.