Sheridan: "Time for politicians to stand up"

Sheridan went to Dumbarton police station at 2330GMT on Sunday, cheered on by supporters.

He said he would return to Faslane on 12 February next year.

The Scottish Socialist Party leader spent the night in a police cell before being transferred to Greenock Prison on Monday morning.

Before giving himself up, Sheridan said: "It is important to stand up for a nuclear-free Scotland.

'Inhumane weapons'

"These weapons are not only inhumane, they are also illegal.

"It is time for politicians to stand up for change and although prison is unpleasant, sometimes it is necessary to take a stand on issues as important as this one."

The MSP's time in jail could be reduced to seven days for good behaviour and, because of Christmas arrangements, he should be released on Friday 22 December.

He can deal with it again and he'll go to prison again in future if he has to

Gail Sheridan

Sheridan has spent time in jail in the past.

In the early 1990s, as president of the Anti-Poll Tax Federation, he served six months behind bars for breaking an order for breaching a court order forbidding him to attend a warrant sale as part of a campaign against the poll tax.

Going to jail will not affect Sheridan's position as an MSP.

His wife Gail, 36, said she was backing her husband in his stand.

"I am supporting him 100%," she said.

"I'm not apprehensive, he's gone to prison before, he can deal with it again and he'll go to prison again in future if he has to."