Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/656/11085
From The Socialist newspaper, 2 February 2011
Tommy Sheridan jailing: Political vendetta ends in draconian sentence
Tommy Sheridan in 2007
SCOTTISH SOCIALIST Tommy Sheridan was jailed for three years on 26 January having being found guilty on charges of perjury. This follows the longest and most expensive perjury trial in Scottish legal history. The unprecedented political vendetta and this draconian sentence will provoke anger and disappointment among many thousands of working-class people across Scotland.
The class nature of the prosecution and jail sentence was illustrated by the £4 million spent by the police and the Scottish Crown to secure this verdict.
This prosecution has only been achieved through an unholy alliance of the might of media mogul Rupert Murdoch's News International, the capitalist legal establishment, the police and the leadership of the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP).
Many will contrast the treatment of Tommy Sheridan with the way that the prosecutors and the police have allowed Andy Coulson and the News of the World to, so far, avoid charges over widespread illegal phone hacking.
Without the actions of the SSP leadership, a successful prosecution of Tommy Sheridan would not have been possible. It is to their eternal disgrace that they were prepared to collaborate with and encourage the vendetta against Tommy Sheridan.
After the sentence was passed it was announced that Tommy Sheridan will be appealing the conviction and also taking legal action against the News of the World, the Metropolitan police and Glenn Mulcaire over the hacking of his phone.
Gail Sheridan, Tommy's partner, said: "Tommy has dedicated his life to helping others. The real reason why he's been imprisoned today is because he has fought injustice and inequality with every beat of his heart."
- The Socialist Party Scotland statement can be read on:
www.socialistworld.net
Readers wishing to send letters/correspondence to Tommy Sheridan:
Tommy Sheridan, Prison Number 32057, HMP Barlinnie, 81 Lee Avenue, Riddrie, GLASGOW G33 2QX
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In The Socialist 2 February 2011:
International socialist news and analysis
Socialist Party NHS campaign
Defend the NHS!: Fight the Con-Dem cuts
The madness of King George cuts
Anti-cuts campaigning
Scottish Anti-Cuts Alliance established
Stop attacks on disabled claimants
Liverpool: Jobs axe must be fought
No to the racist EDL! Unite to fight the cuts
Protesting against all of the cuts
Socialist Party news and analysis
Tommy Sheridan jailing: Political vendetta ends in draconian sentence
TV Review: Posh and Posher Why Public School Boys Run Britain
Socialist Party feature
'Struggle or starve!' 1932 - when Birkenhead workers beat the means test
Socialist Party youth and students
Young people march for a future
Tories have no solutions to youth crime
Police attack 'save EMA' protest in Leeds
Socialist Party workplace news
Unison self-destructs at TSA but unionism stronger than ever
Defending jobs at Leeds council
Ford challenged in legal bid: Pay the Visteon pensioners now!
Arriva Trains Wales - strike called off
Discussing an electoral challenge to service cutters
Socialist Party Marxist analysis
'In reality, Britain is facing a savage economic ice age'
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