Breaking News
On Air The Evening Show 5:30PM to 10:00PM The Isle of Wight in Real Time
Listen Live Listen Online Follow us
Follow Isle of Wight Radio on Facebook Follow Isle of Wight Radio on Twitter
Current Weather
Partly Cloudy
NNW 14mph
14 mph
Partly Cloudy
11°C

Ex-NoW Editor Charged Over Sheridan Trial

Fri, 17 August 2012 2:35AM

The former news editor of the News of the World Scotland has been arrested and charged with committing perjury during the trial of former MSP Tommy Sheridan and conspiracy to hack telephones, police have said.

Douglas Wight, 39, also faces allegations of other data protection offences following an investigation by officers from Operation Rubicon of Strathclyde Police.

A force spokeswoman said a report would be sent to the procurator fiscal in Glasgow.

A statement from Strathclyde Police said: "Officers of Operation Rubicon of Strathclyde Police arrested and charged an 39-year-old male with perjury before the High Court in Glasgow during the trial in 2010 of Tommy Sheridan, the former MSP, conspiracy (in Scotland) to hack telephones, multiple charges of conspiracy to obtain the personal data of members of the public in breach of the Data Protection Acts and individual offences under these Acts."

In May, David Cameron's former communications chief Andy Coulson was arrested and charged with committing perjury at the same trial.

The 44-year-old former News of the World editor gave evidence in Sheridan's perjury trial at the High Court in Glasgow in December 2010. Mr Coulson said he would "vigorously contest" the allegations.

Operation Rubicon detectives have been looking at whether certain witnesses lied to the court during Sheridan's trial as part of a "full" investigation into phone hacking in Scotland.

Sheridan was ultimately jailed for three years in January last year after being found guilty of perjury during his 2006 defamation action against the News of the World.

He had been awarded £200,000 in damages after winning the civil case but a jury at the High Court in Glasgow found him guilty of lying about the now-defunct tabloid's claims that he was an adulterer who visited a swingers' club.

The trial, which lasted almost 12 weeks, was one of the longest of its kind in Scottish legal history.

The former Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) leader represented himself after parting company with QC Maggie Scott.

He was convicted of five out of six allegations in a single charge of perjury relating to his evidence during the civil action at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

His wife Gail was on trial along with him but was acquitted of lying to the court during his successful defamation action against the News of the World in 2006.

He was released from jail in January after serving one year of his sentence and vowed to continue the fight to clear his name.

More National News

Sweden Riots: Police Station Set On Fire

Sweden Riots: Police Station Set On Fire

Thu, 23 May 2013 4:40PM
April Jones: Bridger Says Witness Is Lying

April Jones: Bridger Says Witness Is Lying

Thu, 23 May 2013 4:26PM
'Al Qaeda' Twin Bomb Attacks In Niger Kill 25

'Al Qaeda' Twin Bomb Attacks In Niger Kill 25

Thu, 23 May 2013 4:20PM
Woolwich: Why Do Britons Become Radicalised?

Woolwich: Why Do Britons Become Radicalised?

Thu, 23 May 2013 3:09PM
Woolwich Suspect 'Handed Out Radical Leaflets'

Woolwich Suspect 'Handed Out Radical Leaflets'

Thu, 23 May 2013 1:56PM
Doctor Jailed For Sex Assaults On Patients

Doctor Jailed For Sex Assaults On Patients

Thu, 23 May 2013 1:52PM
President Obama Honours Singer Carole King

President Obama Honours Singer Carole King

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:59PM
Dan Brown's Inferno Upsets Philippines

Dan Brown's Inferno Upsets Philippines

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:58PM
Mothercare Reports £21.7m UK Division Loss

Mothercare Reports £21.7m UK Division Loss

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:39PM
'Mini-Experian' Callcredit Plots £400m Sale

'Mini-Experian' Callcredit Plots £400m Sale

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:20PM

Local News

Open verdict on Compton Cliff death

Open verdict on Compton Cliff death

An open verdict has been recorded by Coroner Caroline Sumeray at the inquest into the death of a Dorset woman.
Top awards for Isle of Wight tourist attractions

Top awards for Isle of Wight tourist attractions

Two Isle of Wight tourist attractions are celebrating after being given a prestigious award from travel website TripAdvisor.
Distinctive dragon stolen from Isle of Wight garden

Distinctive dragon stolen from Isle of Wight garden

At least two people would have been needed to move an ornamental dragon that has been stolen from an Isle of Wight property, according to police.
Young Island Swimmers Rewarded For Their Achievements

Young Island Swimmers Rewarded For Their Achievements

Six Island children have been presented with top awards by Olympic gold medalist Duncan Goodhew for doing swimmingly.
Young Quay Arts Programme Launched

Young Quay Arts Programme Launched

Teenagers with a passion for the arts are being encouraged to take part in a programme of events at the Quay Arts centre in Newport.
Island Roads staff donate Walk the Wight funds for Hospice

Island Roads staff donate Walk the Wight funds for Hospice

Hundreds of pounds has been donated to the Earl Mountbatten Hospice thanks to the efforts of a team from Island Roads who Walked the Wight.
Covenant to offer support to military personnel

Covenant to offer support to military personnel

More support will be available to service personnel and their families with the launch of a new Isle of Wight Community Covenant.
Hospital helipad in full flight

Hospital helipad in full flight

The new helipad at St Mary's Hospital is now operational.
Sister joins charity for missing people after brother's death

Sister joins charity for missing people after brother's death

Raising awareness of all missing people, whether they are children or adults, is the aim of a new charity, which is being supported by an Island woman with her own personal experience of the loss of a loved one.
Bohemian Woods at the Isle of Wight Festival

Bohemian Woods at the Isle of Wight Festival

Island musical renegades Headfunk will bring a new experience to the Isle of Wight Festival.