Downfall: The Tommy Sheridan Story [Kindle Edition]

I have not been a member of the Scottish left for a number of years but followed the Sheridan trials with interest from a distance. I did not know if this book would add anything to what I knew - it does and deserves a wide audience. I read it in a day - it's compelling, clearly written, incisive and humane. It is also in small parts clunky which is why I've given it a four not a five: McCombes has a fondness for supposedly comedic similes that generally jar; he's not above the odd cliche; and he can't resist a few incidental snipes about Sheridan (his lack of culture, limited intellectual outlook and failing post-civil trial career moves) which, though understandable given the personal enmity, would have been better edited out.

Having said that, the book achieves the main purpose I assume the author had for it by providing a detailed, convincing rationale for why the SSP members who testified 'against' Sheridan did what they did. In doing so the appalling reality of Sheridan's behaviour from 2004 onwards is laid bare - not only towards fellow members of the SSP but also in his use of every means at his disposal - fair and unfair - to discredit and destroy the women testifying to the sexual liaisons they had had with him. This book will not stop the war of words about the Sheridan trials and may even reignite them - the left-wing sites commenting on the book suggest that. However I've no doubt it needed to be written and on finishing it found it hard not to have admiration for the author and those of his colleagues who refused to go along with Sheridan's plans. Rather than the bile which has hitherto been thrown at McCombes et al.... for giving evidence against Sheridan in the two trials by some on the left, I suspect history will judge that we owe them respect and gratitude for the actions they took. Read more ›

A superb account of a fascinating subject matter. Often like a John Le Carre novel, you'll find it hard to put this down!

Having followed this torrid affair from the start, this book undoubtedly provides the most truthful account of the events that lead up to Sheridan's conviction. It should serve as a lesson for anyone who thinks that truth should come second to political expediency.

Shocking that so many people allowed him to get so far, then again a lot of his ssp comrades wouldn't have got very far without him, interesting read

alan has told the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. i know, i was there. the book is also a brilliant read.

Amazing story. They say you can't fool all of the people but Sheridan fooled a lot. And for years.!

The biggest revelation is how he managed to stay on top for so long. Even now he is like a pied piper with some people (check out the one star reviews lol).

Recommended.

It's always disapponting when political heroes let you down but McCombes' retelling from close quarters of the demise of Tommy Sheridan is done with clarity, great political insight and with more magnaminity than Sheridan and his supporters deserve. Highly readable, I laughed or cried in almost every chapter. McCombes explains with forensic attention to detail the twists and turns of Scotland's most famous libel case.

It's certainly an interesting read for sure but it also feels contrary to McCombes apparent belief system (in relation to the Murdoch press) and any objective reader is left in no doubt that it has been written by a fairly bitter man (understandably bitter let me add!) who wants to do a good hatchet job but trying his best not to be seen to be doing one. I think if he had stuck just to the facts rather than over denegrating Sheridan for his, according to McCombes thinly veiled jibes throughout, lack of intelligence and overall input to the socialist cause, then it would have been a much better book. McCombes could definitely have done without some of the distinctly tabloid sounding phrases throughout e.g. Tommy had more skeletons in his cupboard than a ghost train running from blah blah to blah blah (you get the picture). In my view this makes his book read like something from the very Murdoch press that he purports to hate so much.

That Sheridan and his plastic wife are as guilty as sin is beyond question but I reckon McCombes has left the door open for the knuckle draggers and sycophants that follow this pair of media whores like lemmings over a cliff to cry "foul"!

Overall it's definitely worth reading, I just feel that it was an opportunity missed which is a real shame. I'm assuming Tommy and his lawyer will be poring over it as I type given that he's due home to see the family, which seems to include one A Anwar Esq these days. The new Beltrami by the looks of things, a guy only the truly guilty would even consider going to!