Brendan O'Hara, Argyll and Bute's MP has expressed "disappointment and shock" at an Argyll man's five year imprisonment to the Foreign Office.

Billy Irving, and the crew of a US security ship, were found guilty of border and weapons violations after their armed vessel was seized by Indian authorities in 2013.

The 35-year-old pirate hunter, of Connel, near Oban, was previously imprisoned without trial for six months before a judge quashed the charges but was barred from leaving the country while Indian police attempted to reinstate the case.

Mr O'Hara met with Hugo Swire, the Foreign Office Minister, to discuss what action could be taken by the UK Government.

He said: "I put on record my deep disappointment at this news, as many of us expected that Billy and his shipmates would be found not guilty and released, particularly as the case was thrown-out of court at an earlier hearing.

"I also expressed my shock at the length of sentence; the maximum possible term of five years “rigorous imprisonment”.

"I understand the men will make an immediate application for bail and that they will also be appealing this verdict. I sincerely hope they will be successful in both of these."

He added: "I will continue to question and meet with the Foreign Office in the future but today my thoughts are not just with the men themselves but also with their families, particularly Billy’s mum and dad, his fiancé Yvonne and his baby son William."