A JURY in the perjury trial of former News of the World editor Andy Coulson has heard a recording of evidence he gave during the trial of ex-socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan five years ago.
Coulson, 47, is accused of lying during the trial of Sheridan in Glasgow in 2010.
At the High Court in Edinburgh, the jury heard an audio recording of the testimony Coulson gave under oath after being cited as a witness in the case almost five years ago.
In the tape he was heard being questioned by Sheridan, who conducted his own defence after dismissing his counsel.
Coulson, who gave his occupation as director of communications at Downing Street, was asked about his time as editor of the News of the World from January 2003 until January 2007, when he told Sheridan that he stepped down after one of his reporters was convicted of phone hacking.
The jury heard Coulson on tape tell Sheridan that he “had no knowledge” of it “but I felt I had to take responsibility for it”.
Coulson said he employed a man named Clive Goodman but only became aware of Glenn Mulcaire when he was arrested.
Asked if under his editorship the paper employed “corrupt police officers”, Coulson replied: “Not to my knowledge. I had no knowledge of it happening.”
Prosecutors allege that Coulson, from Kent, made false claims on December 9 and 10 after being sworn in as a witness at Sheridan’s perjury trial.Coulson denies the allegations in the trial heard by Lord Burns, which is expected to last four weeks.
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