Coulson reportedly arrested and charged

THE former editor of the News of the World has reportedly been arrested and charged of perjuring himself.

Following his detention this morning by Strathclyde Police – as reported here on allmediascotland.com – Andy Coulson has been arrested and charged, says The Guardian, the Daily Mail and STV.

It follows his appearance during the trial at the High Court in Glasgow – 18 months ago – of former MSP, Tommy Sheridan, who was found guilty of perjuring himself during his successful defamation case against the News of the World six years ago. Sheridan served one year of a three-year prison sentence.

The News of the World had made claims about Sheridan’s sex life. The News of the World was closed in July, amid allegations of phone-hacking.

Strathclyde Police’s Operation Rubicon is an enquiry into allegations of phone hacking, breach of data protection and perjury.

Since he left the News of the World five years ago, Coulson has been more recently a Downing Street director of communications.