The jury trying Lord Archer for perjury heard yesterday how he produced what the prosecution says is a fake desk diary in High Court libel proceedings.
The 1987 libel action against a national newspaper was recreated at the Old Bailey as David Waters QC, prosecuting, took the role of Lord Archer as transcripts were read out.
He read out Archer's words as the best-selling author's was asked about the "original" diary kept by his secretary, Ms Angela Peppiatt.
Lord Archer had agreed with Mr Michael Hill QC, for the Daily Star, that it was his "main" diary which he had produced in court for the libel trial.
The prosecution alleges that the Appointments Diary produced at that trial was in fact a blank volume - a new and faked document in which Archer had told Ms Peppiatt to make entries.
The Daily Star's solicitor, Mr Nicholas Atkins, told the Old Bailey jury yesterday that the diary was bound in tape and partially obscured with paper when it was shown to him.
Lord Archer had been asked if the diary, together with a working diary, was in existence before October 26 1986. He replied: "Yes, sir."
Asked if entries for September 8th and 9th - the time at which the Daily Star claimed Lord Archer had sex with the prostitute, Ms Monica Coghlan - were there before October 1986, he again replied: "Yes, sir."
The prosecution alleges that Lord Archer wrote in new entries into the Economist working diary in 1987, just before the court case.
Lord Archer denied he had associated with the prostitute and won the libel case in which he was awarded £500,000.
Mrs Peppiatt, the court has heard, kept the genuine Appointments Diary for 1986, and handed it to police 13 years later. She also kept photocopies of various diaries and receipts, which she also handed to police.
Lord Archer (61) denies four counts of perverting the course of justice, two of perjury and one of using a false instrument - the fake Appointments diary.
His former friend, the television producer, Mr Ted Francis, denies one count of perverting the course of justice by agreeing to give Lord Archer a false alibi. The trial was adjourned until Monday.