Gail Sheridan rules out standing at next Holyrood election

• Defiant: Gail Sheridan gives a speech outside court yesterday

Gail Sheridan said she had decided to devote her time to caring for her daughter. She made the decision following her husband's imprisonment yesterday.

Former MSP Sheridan was sentenced to three years in jail after

being found guilty of perjury during his successful defamation action action against the News of the World in 2006.

He sued the newspaper after it published allegations that he was an adulterer who visited swingers' clubs.

Mrs Sheridan was also accused of lying during the action, but she was acquitted after the Crown dropped the case against her.

Following her husband's conviction, it was reported Mrs Sheridan would stand as a candidate for his Solidarity party.

But she said today: "I am flattered by those Solidarity members and members of the public who considered me good enough to stand for the Scottish Parliament.

"As a lifelong trade unionist and advocate of workers' rights, I would have welcomed the challenge.

"However, given Tommy's imprisonment, my priority is caring for our beautiful daughter. In the coming elections I will be supporting and voting for Solidarity and will be encouraging others to do likewise."

Mr Anwar added: "I can confirm that after several weeks of serious deliberation and following a meeting with her today, she will not accept the nomination to stand as a Solidarity candidate in May's Holyrood elections.

"Despite all the stories in the press, Gail had never made any final decision and her family has always come first. I would now ask that her and Gabrielle's privacy is respected."

SHERIDAN SENTENCING: FULL COVERAGE

• 'I wonder, is this what it's like at a public hanging?'

• The plea: Great orator urges judge to ignore armchair lawyers and vindictive media

• The sentence: Tagged Tommy could be out within four months

• Gail Sheridan abandons bid for Holyrood to spend time with daughter

• Should Tommy Sheridan be in prison?

• Journalists' court tweets could become the norm

• Well Red cellmates in Trotsky, Lenin and Castro

• In pictures: The rise and fall of Tommy Sheridan