Andy Coulson held on perjury claims

Andy Coulson, British prime minister David Cameron’s former director of communications, has been detained by police investigating…

Andy Coulson, British prime minister David Cameron’s former director of communications, has been detained by police investigating alleged perjury at the trial of the Scottish socialist politician Tommy Sheridan.

Strathclyde police said Mr Coulson was detained in London yesterday morning for questioning in connection with evidence that the former News of the World editor gave during Sheridan’s own trial for perjury in December 2010.

Mr Coulson, who was then serving as the prime minister’s chief media adviser at 10 Downing Street, was called in 2010 as a defence witness by Sheridan, who was convicted of lying in court during an earlier £200,000 defamation action against the News of the World. – (Guardian service)