NoW editor denies 'illegal culture of phone-tapping'

The editor of the Scottish News of the World has denied being part of an "illegal culture of phone-tapping".

Bob Bird, 54, told the High Court in Glasgow that none of his staff had instructed a private investigator to tap former MSP Tommy Sheridan's phone.

Mr Bird made the comments while giving evidence for the second day at the court, where Mr Sheridan and his wife Gail are accused of perjury.

They deny lying during his defamation victory against the newspaper in 2006.

Mr Sheridan won £200,000 in damages after the News of the World printed allegations about his private life, claiming he was an adulterer who had visited a swingers club.

Following a police investigation, Mr Sheridan and his wife, both 46, were charged with perjury.

Cross examining the editor, Mr Sheridan, who is defending himself, said: "Ten years ago you were at the heart of Wapping."

He added: "You were part of the illegal culture of phone tapping that has been widely criticised."

Mr Bird replied: "No, I was not."

Mr Sheridan asked: "You are now the editor of the Scottish News of the World. Is it your position that the illegal culture of Wapping is not practised here in Scotland?"

Mr Bird said: "I don't think there was any such culture in Wapping and it's certainly not conducted in Scotland."

The jury were shown e-mails between the editor and former columnist Anvar Khan.

In one correspondence Mr Bird offers to "double her dosh" if she records a telephone conversation with the former MSP.

Ms Khan has already claimed in court she visited a swingers club with Mr Sheridan.

In his cross examination, Tommy Sheridan described the technique as a "devious" and an "entrapment", but Mr Bird insisted he was simply gathering evidence.

It is alleged that Mr Sheridan made false statements as a witness in his defamation action against the News of the World on 21 July 2006.

He also denies another charge of attempting to persuade a witness to commit perjury shortly before the 23-day legal action got under way.

Mrs Sheridan denies making false statements on 31 July 2006, after being sworn in as a witness in the civil jury trial at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

The trial, before Lord Bracadale, continues.