Tommy Sheridan dismisses legal team

Former Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan dismissed his legal team at his trial today.

The politician and his wife Gail, both 46, are on trial at the High Court in Glasgow accused of perjury.

The case will not now call until Thursday this week, trial judge Lord Bracadale told the jury.

The couple, from Glasgow, are accused of lying under oath during Sheridan's successful 2006 defamation action against the News of the World. They deny the allegations against them.

Sheridan, a former contestant on Celebrity Big Brother, won 200,000 in damages after the newspaper printed allegations about his private life.

Sheridan's legal team had been led by QC Maggie Scott. He has, however, retained solicitor Aamer Anwar but will defend himself in court.

Lord Bracadale told the jurors of the developments in the case when they were called at noon today.

He said: "Miss Scott and junior counsel are no longer here.

"Mr Sheridan has instructed his solicitor to withdraw counsel's instructions.

"Mr Sheridan will now conduct his own defence. An accused person is entitled to do that."

Lord Bracadale told the court that Sheridan would continue to be supported by his solicitor, Mr Anwar, in the course of his defence.

The former politician had asked for some time to prepare himself for the case and the judge said this was a "reasonable" request.

He agreed to adjourn the case until Thursday to give the former SSP leader time to prepare, when the court will only sit in the morning.

"That will give Mr Sheridan even more time to prepare on Thursday afternoon."

No evidence was heard in the case today.