The family home of former socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan is being searched as he is quizzed by police in connection with perjury allegations.
Nine officers from Lothian and Borders police have detained the politician's wife Gail at the house in the Cardonald area of Glasgow while they carry out a search of the property, it was confirmed by his lawyer.
Sheridan, who left the Scottish Socialists to set up his own party Solidarity, was awarded £200,000 damages following a defamation case against the News of the World newspaper last year.
Prosecution authorities later instructed the police to investigate allegations of perjury by witnesses during the trial.
Sheridan shares the semi-detached family home with his wife Gail, an air stewardess and their toddler daughter Gabrielle.
The 43-year-old was approached by police as he left talk107 radio station in Edinburgh, where he presents a show.
He was driven to Gayfield police station in Edinburgh where officers can hold him for up to six hours without charge.
Mr Sheridan's lawyer Aamar Anwar said: "At the moment he is being questioned by police and he is not been given access to his lawyer. We are hopeful that Mr Sheridan will be released. The Sheridan family believe that the way he was dealt with today was totally an appropriate and excessive.
"Police have been at his house since he was detained and Mrs Sheridan is there at the moment and she is being detained at the family home until the search is completed. Mr Sheridan maintains his innocence."
Solicitor Martha Rafferty, speaking on behalf of trial witnesses Anne Colvin and Helen Allison, said: "My clients were pleased to hear that Mr Sheridan was being questioned by police. They have co-operated fully with Lothian and Borders enquires and would very much welcome an early trial."
