All the witnesses in the Tommy Sheridan libel trial are to be investigated over whether they lied in court.
The Crown Office in Scotland has ordered the enquiry over conflicting evidence which was heard in the trial – which cost the Scottish News of the World £200,000 in damages earlier this month.
The former Scottish Socialist Party leader sued over stories in the News of the World which claimed he had taken part in orgies and cheated on his wife.
The News of the World is appealing against the jury’s verdict on the grounds that it was “perverse”.
Head NoW lawyer said after the case: “This was about the truth of the evidence produced in court. Eighteen people have evidence that all went in one direction. We contend that the clear weight of the evidence that went before the court supported our side and not his.”
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