TOMMY Sheridan has accused the publishers of the now-defunct News of the World of trying to buy the Scottish justice system. 

The socialist politician told the Court of Session yesterday that journalists at the paper doctored evidence to substantiate false claims that he was a swinger. 

Mr Sheridan told judges Lady Paton, Lord Drummond Young and Lord McGhie that the paper used a number of illegal practices to obtain information about him The former MSP told the judges that employees of News Group Newspapers have pursued a conspiracy which resulted in him being wrongly jailed for three years. 

And he told the judges that they should reject a bid by NGN to set aside the £200,000 award given to him by a jury following a defamation trial in 2006.

Former MSP Mr Sheridan said: “They have been trying to buy the Scottish justice system. 

“They now have the cheek to come to this court in a bid to have a jury decision set aside. I call on you to be outraged and affronted — for the justice system’s sake.”

News Group Newspapers, publishers of the now-defunct Sunday newspaper, want the court to set aside the decision of a jury in August 2006 that Mr Sheridan had been defamed by the publication. 

Alastair Duncan QC, for NGN, told judges Mr Sheridan’s conviction for perjury showed he had unfairly influenced the outcome of the defamation trial. He said the amount of evidence available which showed Mr Sheridan was a swinger was overwhelming. Mr Duncan said: “The only cause Mr Sheridan serves is himself.” 

The judges will issue a written judgment at a later date.