Newspaper's Tommy appeal date set

Mr Sheridan and his wife Gail were delighted to win the case

A date has been set for the News of the World's appeal hearing to overturn a £200,000 damages award for calling Tommy Sheridan MSP "a swinger".

Two weeks in December have been pencilled into the Court of Session's diary for appeal judges to hear the Sunday tabloid's demand for a re-trial.

The socialist MSP sued the newspaper over allegations that he had cheated on his wife Gail with numerous women.

A perjury investigation involving original trial witnesses is ongoing.

During the five week trial last July Mr Sheridan sacked his legal team and went on to win record damages from a civil jury.

Legal argument

But Bob Bird, Scottish editor of the News of the World, immediately condemned the jury decision as "perverse" and announced an appeal.

Roisin Higgins, counsel for the Sunday tabloid's publishers said legal argument about a re-trial was expected to start on 4 December and is expected to last for two weeks.

The trial split his Scottish Socialist Party, with senior members and MSPs giving evidence for both sides.

Since his court victory Mr Sheridan has founded the Solidarity party and intends to fight to keep his seat in the Scottish Parliament in the May elections.