CPS considers perjury case against Archer

The Crown Prosecution Service is considering whether charges should be brought against Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare after police completed their investigation into perjury allegations arising from his 1987 libel trial.

The Crown Prosecution Service is considering whether charges should be brought against Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare after police completed their investigation into perjury allegations arising from his 1987 libel trial.

Scotland Yard confirmed it had handed the Crown Prosecution Service a dossier on allegations that the former Tory deputy chairman sought to influence witnesses in the trial.

As he arrived in London from a book-signing tour of Australia, Lord Archer said he had "nothing at all" to say.

The CPS refused to discuss what charges lawyers were considering but it is thought they are perjury or attempting or conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

The inquiry was sparked by Lord Archer's admission in November that he asked a friend, Ted Francis, to lie for him in the run-up to the trial. He was awarded £500,000 after a jury found he was defamed by the Daily Star over claims he had sex with Monica Coghlan, a £70-a-night prostitute. The Star is seeking return of the damages, its costs and interest.

Soon after his admission Lord Archer resigned as Conservative candidate for London mayor and was expelled from the party for five years. Any trial in the run-up to the next election would embarrass William Hague, the Tory leader, who last year praised Lord Archer for his "probity and integrity".