New Tommy Sheridan documentary promises 'exclusive' look at his rise and fall

(Image: PA)

A NEW documentary on Tommy Sheridan promises the chance to hear the former politician’s rise and downfall from the man himself “for the first time”.

The former Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) leader is the subject of the upcoming two-part BBC documentary Tommy Sheridan: Caught In The Headlines.

It is billed as offering “exclusive access” to Sheridan and his wife Gail after his spectacular fall from grace.

Sheridan led the SSP to their best-ever electoral performance in 2003 when the party picked up six seats and was able to successfully put pressure on the Scottish Government on issues such as outlawing warrant sales and poindings.

But his political career ended in controversy after he was revealed by the News Of The World to have attended swingers clubs.

He successfully sued for defamation and accused members of the SSP who refused to back him, claiming Sheridan had admitted to attending sex parties, of being “scabs”.

(Image: NEWSQUEST MEDIA GROUP)

Sheridan was later convicted of perjury after footage emerged of him admitting to attending swingers clubs and was sentenced to prison.

David Harron, commissioning editor of documentaries at BBC Scotland, said: “Few politicians and public figures of the past 40 years in Scotland have been as high-profile and exerted as much fascination as Tommy Sheridan. Now for the first time he tells the story of his life.

“Alongside insider testimony from family, former friends and many others who had a front row seat during many of his spectacular highs and lows, Tommy Sheridan: Caught In The Headlines is a compelling and thought-provoking series.”

Lorraine McKechnie, executive producer at Finestripe Productions, added: “40 years on from the campaigns that made his name, Tommy Sheridan remains one of the most talked-about and controversial figures in Scottish public life. Until now, he has refused to tell his story.

“This is an intimate and uncompromising look at Sheridan, with access to his wife, Gail, and the inner circle who helped shape his rise – and were caught up in the fallouts, betrayals and scandals that came with it.”