Archer file sent to prosecutors

The Crown Prosecution Service is considering whether to prosecute Lord Archer, the former Tory deputy chairman, on allegations of perjury or attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The Crown Prosecution Service is considering whether to prosecute Lord Archer, the former Tory deputy chairman, on allegations of perjury or attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The Scotland Yard file, handed to the CPS in the past few days, contains evidence - the result of a nine-month inquiry - surrounding the millionaire novelist's 1987 libel trial.

The investigation began after it emerged that Lord Archer had asked a friend to lie for him in the run-up to the trial at which he won £500,000 from the Daily Star.

Lord Archer admitted last year that he had asked his then friend Ted Francis to provide him with a false alibi for the date when he thought the Star was going to accuse him of having been with the prostitute Monica Coughlan.

He said that on the night in question he had in fact been with a female friend, whose identity he wanted to protect.

In the event, the Star's allegations revolved around a different date and the false alibi was never used in court.

But the revelation led to Lord Archer's resignation as Conservative candidate for the post of London mayor.

Following a series of stormy meetings with senior Conservatives, the 60-year-old peer was expelled from the party for five years.

The CPS last night confirmed that a prosecution was being considered.

A decision is expected to be made soon by David Calvert-Smith QC, Director of Public Prosecutions.

A spokeswoman for the CPS said: "We have received a file from the police in the last couple of days and it is now awaiting consideration by our lawyers."

She refused to confirm what charges were under consideration but they are thought to be either perjury or conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. No timescale has yet been agreed but the spokeswoman added: "We try to make our decisions as quickly as possible."

Perjury carries a maximum sentence of seven years' imprisonment, while the maximum for a conviction for attempting to pervert the course of justice is life.

Lord Archer was last night said to be returning from Australia, where he has been conducting a book promotion tour.