Sheridan trial told SSP was divided

The Scottish Socialist Party was "factioned" at the time former MSP Tommy Sheridan was a member, his perjury trial was told today.

Gordon Morgan, 60, a founder member of the party, said that from 2003 there was a "division" between the elected MSPs.

He said that Frances Curran, Rosie Kane and Carolyn Leckie acted as a sub-group and were "derogatory" towards Sheridan and colleague Rosemary Byrne.

The witness also told the High Court in Glasgow that the party was on the verge of bankruptcy at the time.

Sheridan asked Mr Morgan to describe the nature of the SSP during this period.

He replied: "Factioned. Groupings had been established and actions were being taken by groups of people together, not necessarily in the interests of the party.

"It was very clear that there had been a division between the MSPs elected.

"Frances Curran, Rosie Kane and Carolyn Leckie were acting together, socialising together, acting as a sub-group together and being derogatory towards both Tommy Sheridan and Rosemary Byrne."

He said financial pressure intensified this as there was a threat that people may lose their jobs.

Sheridan and his wife Gail, both 46, deny lying under oath during his successful defamation action against the News of the World, which followed the newspaper's claims that the former Socialist MSP was an adulterer who visited swingers' clubs.

He won 200,000 in damages after the paper printed the allegations about his private life.

Sheridan denies making false statements as a witness in the defamation action on July 21 2006.

His wife denies committing the same crime on July 31 2006 after being sworn in as a witness at the civil jury trial.