What do you think?
Rate this book
Downfall: The Tommy Sheridan Story
From prison cell to the political limelight, and back again, there is no doubt that Tommy Sheridan – tanned, handsome and armed with a soundbite for every occasion – was one of the most colorful figures in the drab, dusty world of party politics. Yet behind the charismatic exterior of the man who first came to public notice during the anti-Poll Tax movement and later led the Scottish Socialist Party to become a strong voice in the new Scottish parliament was a deeply flawed, manipulative individual whose own actions led to one of the most spectacular political downfalls in recent history.
Written by his closest political associate for over twenty years, and based on a raft of documentary and eyewitness information, much of it appearing in print for the first time, this is the no-holds barred inside story of the rise and fall of one of the most fascinating figures in recent Scottish politics. Combining elements of tragedy, thriller and farce, it presents the stark, ugly truth behind Sheridan's victorious defamation action against the News of the World in 2006 and subsequent perjury trial in 2010, which contained some of the most dramatic courtroom scenes in Scottish legal history. Yet despite the lurid and sensationalist aspects of Sheridan's life and career, this is also a serious exploration of wider political and psychological themes which offers some salutary lessons at a time when public confidence in politicians has seldom been lower.
Written by his closest political associate for over twenty years, and based on a raft of documentary and eyewitness information, much of it appearing in print for the first time, this is the no-holds barred inside story of the rise and fall of one of the most fascinating figures in recent Scottish politics. Combining elements of tragedy, thriller and farce, it presents the stark, ugly truth behind Sheridan's victorious defamation action against the News of the World in 2006 and subsequent perjury trial in 2010, which contained some of the most dramatic courtroom scenes in Scottish legal history. Yet despite the lurid and sensationalist aspects of Sheridan's life and career, this is also a serious exploration of wider political and psychological themes which offers some salutary lessons at a time when public confidence in politicians has seldom been lower.
- GenresBiography
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2011
1 person is currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Alan McCombes
6 books2 followersAlan McCombes (b. 1955) was a leading member of the Scottish Socialist Party and the editor of Scottish Socialist Voice until 2003.
He worked for the John Muir Trust for 12 years in various roles, including Communications Editor, Media Manager and Public Affairs Manager, before stepping down in July 2024. He is now a freelance writer and communications consultant.
He worked for the John Muir Trust for 12 years in various roles, including Communications Editor, Media Manager and Public Affairs Manager, before stepping down in July 2024. He is now a freelance writer and communications consultant.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 17, 2013
Trots, eh? They basically never change. The SSP seemed to have performed a miracle and held the split-prone Scottish left together for years, and then they tripped over Tommy Sheridan's underpants and fell into disarray.
This is a fascinating book, especially if, like me, you know some of the players somewhat. It's well-written, clearly explained, and deeply felt. The sense of hurt and betrayal is tangible, but does occasionally spill over into self-righteousness and self-justification by McCombes, which is a shame. It's the best and most authoritative account we could have of the ridiculousness, shabbiness and devastation of those events, and it's a damn good read. Reading it in light of the left's recent selective realisation that George Galloway is also a misogynist twat lent it a deeper resonance to me - do they never learn? Will they never stop looking for the Messiah and finding only naughty boys?
This is a fascinating book, especially if, like me, you know some of the players somewhat. It's well-written, clearly explained, and deeply felt. The sense of hurt and betrayal is tangible, but does occasionally spill over into self-righteousness and self-justification by McCombes, which is a shame. It's the best and most authoritative account we could have of the ridiculousness, shabbiness and devastation of those events, and it's a damn good read. Reading it in light of the left's recent selective realisation that George Galloway is also a misogynist twat lent it a deeper resonance to me - do they never learn? Will they never stop looking for the Messiah and finding only naughty boys?
July 20, 2024
If only I had a time machine...
September 16, 2012
I wanted to get my head around what had happened politically, and personally to those involved - and this certainly delivered. I'm not sure I understood the scale of it, but I certainly do now.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews