Why 'Tommy drops his briefs'

Like everyone else i've been following Tommy's defamation trial with some disbelief. However it's maybe a different disbelief that others. Most people I have spoken to seem to think he did it - whatever it is - or else that there's enough on the NotW side of the case to stand up, if not the whole story, then substantial truth, which i unbderstand is the criterion. Now he's "dropped his briefs". Why?

I've found the Scotsperson has the clearest coverage - here's a link to the current story.

Scotsman.com News - Scottish Socialist Party - Sheridan sacks courtroom counsel: "THE TRIAL involving former Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan took another dramatic turn today when the Glasgow MSP sacked his legal team.

On the ninth day of his defamation trial, Sheridan advised Lord Turnbull and the jury at the Court of Session in Edinburgh that he would represent himself for the remainder of the case. The trial was then adjourned until Tuesday.

Mr Sheridan has brought a £200,000 defamation action against the News of the World and has claimed the newspaper's allegations from 2004 and 2005 about his private life are false. The paper insists it was true that he had cheated on his wife, visited a swingers' club and indulged in group sex."

Not sure what his reason for 'sacking' his lawyers is. But unlike everyone else - except Steven Low - I think he may stand a chance of winning. The wtnesses so far have been pretty dodgy to my mind. Anvar Khan promoting here book, and her and everyone else all in with the Screws up to their necks in cash. Not very credible.

I think Tommy's lawyers have done a good job so far of showing that.

However the next batch of witnesses will be SSP ones, and the key piece of evidence is the famouos minute of their executive meeting when he is meant to have fessed up. I think Tommy wants to tackle his internal enemies himself in court. I am sure he imagines he will have a better chance against them than even the slickest QC. They'll all regretfully announce that he confessed. He'll challenge them that they're lying. Who is telling the truth I don't know. But his line is bound to be that these people all have a vendetta against him. Plus, as Steven points out, some of the SSP are still on Tommy's side, so there are conflicting "truth"s about the minute and what actually went on.

Hmmm.

Also - it seems to me - Tommy wants his grandstand day(s) in court. I doubt if he could really resist that. This may be a less effective calculation for him.

So. Still to be convinced that he won't win. The witnesses so far haven't proved anything yet.

BTW You'll find the Daily records amusing headline (oh and their report) here:
The Daily Record - NEWS - TOMMY DROPS HIS BRIEFS