A former News of the World Scottish editor has been detained by police over allegations that he perverted the course of justice.
Bob Bird is being questioned by officers from Strathclyde Police over evidence he gave at the Tommy Sheridan defamation trial in 2006.
The 56-year-old was detained on Wednesday morning by officers from Operation Rubicon, the force's investigation into allegations of perjury and phone hacking made at ex-MSP Sheridan's subsequent perjury trial.
A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Polcie said: "Officers from Operation Rubicon of Strathclyde Police detained a 56-year-old male in Glasgow this morning for attempting to pervert the course of justice arising from conduct at the time of the defammation action of Tommy Sheridan versus the News Groups Newspapers Ltd in 2006.
"It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."
Mr Bird is being questioned at Helen Street police station in Glasgow over the allegations.
He gave evidence at Sheridan's original defamation trial against the now defunct News International publication, which the former Scottish Socialist Party leader won and was awarded £200,000 in damages for.
Mr Bird, who has most recently been working in PR, also gave testimony at the subsequent perjury trial, which led to Sheridan being found guilty of having lied during the original court action. Sheridan was found guilty and was jailed for three years.
