A peer is facing prison and a bill for more than £5,000 over a row with Southern Rail over the 80p difference between the cost of a return rail fare.

The dispute started when Lord Maginnis of Drumglass, 78, who regularly travels between Belfast and Gatwick, found that he had bought the wrong ticket in advance for the train journey from the airport to London.

Rather than a seven-day return, costing £23.65, the peer had mistakenly bought a one-day return costing £22.85.

When he was challenged by a ticket inspector, Lord Maginnis said he offered to pay the extra 80p.

However, the inspector refused to accept the money and said the peer would have to buy a new single ticket for £19.90 and pay a £19.90 penalty.

The peer declined to pay and gave the inspector his business card and asked if their head office could phone him to clear up the matter.