News Group told to wait before appealing damages bill

The publisher of the News of the World has failed in its bid to reopen an appeal against a 2006 libel ruling in favour of former Scottish politician Tommy Sheridan.

News Group Newspapers was told it would have to wait until police investigations into alleged hacking are completed before it can ask for an appeal.

The publisher is seeking to overturn a £200,000 damages award made to the former Scottish Socialist Party leader over a story claiming he had visited a swingers' club.

The News of the World had planned to appeal at the time, but the process was stalled after police began a perjury investigation, which resulted in Sheridan being jailed for three years for lying on oath during the libel case.

The politician and former Celebrity Big Brother contestant was freed last month, after serving just over a year of his sentence, and has yet to receive the damages payment from News Group.

The publisher asked for the appeal to be reopened today, but Sheridan's lawyers successfully argued that the case should remain frozen, until police finish investigating allegations of phone hacking and data breaches.

Before today's hearing, Sheridan told the Daily Record: "The court date might be 14 February but there is no love lost between me and the Murdoch empire. They accused me of lying.

"Being accused of lying by the News of the World is like being told to sit up straight by the hunchback of Notre Dame."

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