Archer charged with perjury

Author Lord Archer was today charged with perverting the course of justice and perjury over claims that he allegedly asked a friend to lie for him during his 1987 libel trial.

Author Lord Archer was today charged with perverting the course of justice and perjury over claims that he allegedly asked a friend to lie for him during his 1987 libel trial.

Scotland Yard confirmed that the millionaire writer was formally charged at Wimbledon police station this morning.

A spokesman said: "Jeffrey Archer has been charged with two counts of perverting the course of justice, two counts of perjury and one count of using a false instrument." The charges follow claims that he asked former friend Ted Francis to concoct an alibi for him during the libel case against the Daily Star.

Lord Archer was accused of sleeping with prostitute Monica Coghlan.

The wealthy peer was quizzed by police earlier this year.

The allegations were first made against him during his campaign to become Mayor of London.

A Conservative Party spokesman said: "This is a matter of criminal law. We have no comment to make."