The MP who was convicted of headbutting another politician in a House of Commons bar has been fined £600 after he removed his electronic tag, so he could take part in a parliamentary boat race.
Falkirk MP Eric Joyce appeared in Stirling Sheriff Court yesterday after breaching the 12-month community order imposed following the fight in February.
The race between MPs and peers took place on 4 July, with Joyce tweeting: "Lords v Commons rowing about to start. Let's hope all that extensive training pays off."
Sentencing him, Sheriff John Halley told the Falkirk MP: “You took it upon yourself to remove the tag, which you were required to wear.
“You’re recorded as saying that you cut it off to stop your photograph being taken for the charity event.
“It’s not for you or any other person under a court order to decide to refuse to comply with the court order.
“You made a clear decision to breach the order. It’s not a reasonable excuse.”
Joyce resigned from the Labour Party following his conviction and apologised "without reservation" for his violent conduct during a drunken frenzy in the Palace of Westminster bar.
Joyce admitted attacking four people in Parliament's Strangers Bar in February, including headbutting Tory MP Stewart Andrew.
Unfortunately for Joyce his £600 fine was not balanced out by victory in the water, as the Lords beat the Commons in the rowing race.