Trident fine deadline for MSP

The demonstration took place outside Faslane

The deadline has arrived for a member of the Scottish Parliament to pay a fine for an anti-nuclear submarine protest - or go to jail.

Tommy Sheridan, Leader of the Scottish Socialist Party, has insisted he has no intention of forking out the £250 fine imposed after a demonstration at the home of the UK's Trident fleet on the Clyde.

If he does not settle the fine on Tuesday, he faces being arrested and spending up to two weeks in prison.

The penalty was imposed at Helensburgh District Court last month after he was found guilty of breach of the peace and resisting arrest at Faslane on 14 February.

Sheridan leads the Scottish Socialist Party

Mr Sheridan, 36, was elected to the Scottish Parliament last year, but going to jail would not affect his position as an MSP.

However, he could face sanctions from the standards committee for bringing the parliament into disrepute.

The list MSP for Glasgow was given 28 days to pay the fine - or be sent to prison for 14 days.

Mr Sheridan was among 150 people arrested at the base during the demonstration, which was supported by Sir Sean Connery.

Weapons 'madness'

Speaking after the hearing, he said: "This crime was nothing compared to the crime which we were trying to prevent.

"We were trying to prevent the madness of nuclear weapons which will lead to the destruction of humanity."

As president of the Anti-Poll Tax Federation, he served six months in jail in the early 90s for breaking an order relating to the non-payment of the community charge.

An appeal by the Lord Advocate against a sheriff's decision to clear three protesters of criminal damage at Faslane has been taken to the High Court in Edinburgh.

In reaching her decision, Sheriff Margaret Gimblett agreed that Trident was illegal, according to the International Court of Justice.

This ruling was quoted by Mr Sheridan in his defence.