Rosemary Byrne

Last updated

Rosemary Byrne
Convenor of Solidarity
In office
3 September 2006 –17 November 2019
Servingwith Tommy Sheridan (2006–2016) and Pat Lee (2016–2019)

There was a controversial defamation case in 2006 between fellow SSP MSP Tommy Sheridan and the British tabloid newspaper The News Of The World , Sheridan v News International. Following this, Sheridan and Byrne split from the SSP, and formed a new socialist party which they named Solidarity . [5]

During the trial, in which Sheridan sued the News of the World for defamation and won, Byrne gave evidence supporting Sheridan. On 1 October 2006 the News of the World published fresh evidence which it claimed proved that their allegations were true and Sheridan had thus lied to the Court of Session during the trial. Sheridan was subsequently charged with and eventually convicted of perjury.

Both Byrne and Sheridan were accused by the IWW of betraying workers by unilaterally removing funding from the collective body which employed parliamentary staff. [6]

On 15 February 2008, Byrne was arrested on suspicion of perjury in relation to the Sheridan defamation trial. [7] However, the Crown Office said that the matter would not be taken further at the conclusion of the subsequent criminal trial.[ citation needed ]

In June 2016, Sheridan resigned from his position as co-convener of the Solidarity, with councillor Pat Lee elected to replace him alongside Byrne. [8]

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References

  1. ↑ "Vote 2001: Results & Constituencies: Cunninghame South". BBC News . Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  2. ↑ MacLeod, Catherine (2 May 2003). "Sheridan's socialists now a force all over the country Rosie Kane joins Sheridan in Glasgow". The Herald. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  3. ↑ "Scottish Parliament election: Region: South of Scotland". BBC News. 3 May 2003.
  4. ↑ Quinn, Thomas (3 September 2006). "After split, Sheridan calls his new party Solidarity". The Observer . Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  5. ↑ "Wife of Scottish MP in newspaper libel case is charged with perjury". Yorkshire Post . 20 February 2008. Archived from the original on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  6. ↑ Manny Neira (15 November 2006). "Sheridan betrays own workers". Industrial Workers of the World. Archived from the original on 4 March 2007. Retrieved 4 May 2007.
  7. ↑ "Former MSP arrested in perjury investigation". Archived from the original on 10 February 2012.
  8. ↑ Hutcheon, Paul (12 June 2016). "Sheridan steps aside as Solidarity leader after struggling party wins 0.6% of Holyrood vote". Sunday Herald. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
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