Former Scottish Socialist Party MSP Tommy Sheridan and his wife Gail appeared in court yesterday charged with perjury.

The couple, both aged 44, were greeted by a throng of supporters as they arrived at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, where they appeared separately and in private.

Neither made any plea or declaration and they were released on bail.

The Crown now must bring a prosecution within a year. Sources close to the case said this is unlikely to happen before the end of this year.

In line with what The Herald revealed last Saturday, charges against Mrs Sheridan of allegedly stealing a quantity of alcohol miniatures from her employer, British Airways, did not feature during her court appearance yesterday.

Mr Sheridan, a former MSP for Glasgow and leader of the SSP, was arrested in December after an investigation into allegations of lying under oath during his successful £200,000 defamation action against the News of the World.

His wife was charged with perjury by police last month.

The Sheridans arrived at court at about 11.45am yesterday. Supporters gave a huge cheer and applauded as they came out of the court building.

About 30 members of Mr Sheridan's Solidarity party staged a protest outside the court, holding aloft banners declaring: "Tommy and Gail Your Friends Are With You."

In a statement outside the court, the couple's lawyer, Aamar Anwar, said: "Both Mr and Mrs Sheridan appeared on petition in private at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. They were charged with perjury and made no plea or declaration.

"I would like to emphasise that there was no charge of theft on the petition.

"The Sheridans would like to thank all of those who have sent hundreds of cards. They are humbled and honoured to receive such generosity."

Mr Sheridan, who left the Scottish Socialist Party to form Solidarity, won his defamation case against the Rupert Murdoch-owned Sunday tabloid in August 2006.

The paper had branded him an adulterer and claimed he visited Cupids swingers' club in Manchester and had taken part in group sex sessions. Mr Sheridan denied the claims.

The trial judge, Lord Turnbull, voiced his concerns about the contradictory nature of the evidence given during the trial and, a month later, the Crown Office ordered Lothian and Borders Police to launch a perjury investigation.

As well as Mr and Mrs Sheridan, five others have been charged with perjury, including Mrs Sheridan's father, Gus Healey, 71, and former Solidarity MSP Rosemary Byrne.

Mrs Sheridan remains suspended from her BA cabin crew job pending an internal inquiry by the airline which is at an early stage.