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| Phone Hacking: Investigation to begin in Scotland | Phone Hacking: Investigation to begin in Scotland |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Strathclyde Police are to investigate phone hacking and breaches of data protection in Scotland, the Crown Office has confirmed. | Strathclyde Police are to investigate phone hacking and breaches of data protection in Scotland, the Crown Office has confirmed. |
| The probe will centre on allegations that witnesses gave perjured evidence in the trial of ex-MSP Tommy Sheridan. | The probe will centre on allegations that witnesses gave perjured evidence in the trial of ex-MSP Tommy Sheridan. |
| In December he was found guilty of lying during his successful defamation case against the News of the World (NoW) newspaper in 2006. | In December he was found guilty of lying during his successful defamation case against the News of the World (NoW) newspaper in 2006. |
| The NoW was closed at the beginning of July over the hacking scandal. | The NoW was closed at the beginning of July over the hacking scandal. |
| Asst Ch Con George Hamilton said: "Following our discussions with the Crown, we have now been instructed to carry out a full investigation into allegations that witnesses gave perjured evidence in the trial of Tommy Sheridan and into alleged breaches of data protection and phone hacking. | |
| "We will also be looking to see if we can uncover any evidence of corruption in the police service or any other organisation related to these inquiries. | |
| "However, I must stress that no specific allegations regarding corruption have been presented to us at this time." | |
| He said his detectives would be working with the Metropolitan Police and other Scottish forces. | |
| "By its very nature, this investigation will require us to allocate varying levels of resources to it," he said. | |
| "There is a huge amount of material to consider and, potentially, a large number of people to contact. | |
| "This will mean that the investigation is likely to be a lengthy one. However, you have my absolute assurance that it will be a thorough one." | |
| Strathclyde police began looking into the issue after a dossier of information alleging hundreds of people had been targeted by News International was handed to them by Sheridan's lawyer Aamer Anwar. | |
| The BBC has obtained a copy of that dossier, which details journalists' requests to private detective Steve Whittamore. |