'Error' spares Kane prison

ROSIE Kane, the Scottish Socialist MSP, was spared jail once again yesterday after failing to pay a court fine.

"An administrative error" meant officials at Helensburgh District Court had not received the relevant paperwork and have had to prolong the case.

Ms Kane, 44, was ordered to pay 150 after committing a breach of the peace during an anti-nuclear protest at the Faslane nuclear submarine base on the Clyde in August 2004. She has also refused to carry out the alternative punishment of a supervised attendance order.

Breach of the order, which would see the politician carrying out work for 30 hours to clear the fine, could see her imprisoned for up to 60 days.

However, Justice of the Peace Vivien Dance said Ms Kane could not be charged until the correct papers had been sent.

Speaking outside the court, Ms Kane described the situation as "farcical". She said: "I've been clear from day one that I would not pay a fine or carry out an attendance order."

Ms Dance told the court that the papers regarding the 30-hour order had not been sent to Glasgow City Council's social work department "due to an administrative error".