Archer pleads not guilty to perjury

LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Lord Jeffrey Archer, the millionaire British novelist and one-time golden boy of the Conservative party, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to five charges stemming from his 1987 libel trial.

The charges related to Archer's case against the Daily Star newspaper in which the former politician won £500,000 ($728,800) over allegations, which he denied, that he had sex with a prostitute.

Court sources said Archer, 60, denied two counts of perverting the course of justice, one count of using a false instrument -- falsifying documents -- and two counts of perjury.

Archer, author of airport blockbusters such as "Kane and Abel" and "The Prodigal Daughter," served as deputy chairman of the Conservative party from 1985 until 1986 under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

He is accused of falsifying a diary and telling the court in the 1987 libel trial that it was genuine. He is also accused of failing to present another diary to the court and lying to cover that up.

The charges state further that Archer asked a friend, Ted Francis, to lie and provide him with an alibi "intended to disprove or assist in disproving" the Daily Star's allegations.

Francis also pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to one count of trying to pervert the course of justice, court sources said.

Archer and Francis were both released on bail. Their trial was set for May 14 next year.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Novelist Archer charged with perjury
September 26, 2000

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