That is rather longer than the sentence handed down to another fallen Tory star, Jonathan Aitken.

ECONOMIST: The

Sheridan quoted the sentences given to other high profile perjurers - former Conservative MPs Jonathan Aitken and Lord Archer.

BBC: Tommy Sheridan jailed for three years for perjury

These included the failed libel action brought against the Guardian in 1997 by Jonathan Aitken, the former Conservative cabinet minister.

BBC: Blunkett branded 'a whiner'

Chris Huhne, the ex-cabinet minister jailed for perverting the course of justice, has exchanged letters with disgraced former MP Jonathan Aitken.

BBC: Chris Huhne and Jonathan Aitken exchange letters

In Britain, Jonathan Aitken and Jeffrey Archer, two members of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher's government, have both served time behind bars for perjury.

CNN: Can politicians be trusted?

The former Cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken went through the same sequence of conviction, jail and return to civvy street in Britain, and he's here this morning.

BBC: Breakfast with Frost

We still remember Jonathan Aitken's promise to use the simple sword of truth and trusty shield of British fair play before he was jailed for perjury.

BBC: UK Politics

Huhne's name will now be added to that list of John Profumo, Jonathan Aitken and Jeffrey Archer, politicians all brought down by their ability to lie to Parliament or the courts.

BBC: UK Politics

Jonathan Aitken is (1) one of the cleverest politicians I have ever seen in a witness box, (2) one of the cleverest MEN I've ever seen in the witness box, (3) one of the most scrupulously prepared men ever in the witness box.

BBC: News Online

Those who fell foul of him included politicians (Jonathan Aitken, Jeffrey Archer, Reginald Maudling), union leaders (Clive Jenkins), architects (John Poulson), journalists (notably his boss at the Mirror, David Montgomery), businessmen (the list is long), as well as disc jockeys, civil servants and countless others.

ECONOMIST: Obituary