London - Novelist Lord Archer was told by the judge in his perjury trial yesterday that his decision not to give evidence "may count against him".
Lord Archer declined to give evidence during the six-week trial in which he and his former friend, Mr Ted Francis, are accused of dishonesty during the 1987 Archer libel case against the Daily Star.
Mr Justice Potts told the jury it was Lord Archer's right to remain silent but added: "You will appreciate that a defendant who has not given evidence has said nothing in the trial to undermine, contradict or explain the evidence put before you by the prosecution. A defendant's silence at his trial may count against him."
