Tommy Sheridan claims 'first round' victory in News of the World libel payout battle
Tommy Sheridan today claimed he had won the 'first round' in court as he seeks to make News Group pay up £200,000 awarded to him in damages in 2006.
The former MSP won the libel payout following allegations published about his private life by the now defunct News of the World.
News Group challenged the libel payout but its appeal was frozen during Sheridan's criminal perjury trial.
The publisher attempted to reopen its appeal against the payout in Edinburgh today - but three judges decided that the case should stay frozen.
The case will now remain frozen and News International will be unable to pursue an appeal until police investigations into alleged phone hacking and other practices are concluded.
Sheridan was quoted as saying outside court: "We will wait for the outcome of that investigation and then look forward to coming back to this court to fight for the upholding of the original jury verdict in this trial.
"If it was a boxing match, it would be round one to us."