Sheridan wins newspaper defamation case

Former Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan today won £200,000 in his defamation action against the News of the World over allegations he cheated on his wife and took part in orgies.

A jury at the Court of Session in Edinburgh took two-and-a-half hours to return its verdict on day 23 of the case.

The Glasgow MSP sued the tabloid after it printed articles, in 2004/05, which said he cheated on his wife, visited a swingers' sex club and participated in orgies.

The verdict was initially met with a stunned silence in the courtroom before relatives of Mr Sheridan wept.

His wife Gail hugged her husband for almost a minute in the court after the verdict was delivered.

The MSP's mother Alice said afterwards: "Our prayers have been answered."