Councillor Jackie Burns was embarassingly fined for urinating in the street/SWNS

A council chief involved in axing public toilets has been fined by police - for urinating in the street.

Jackie Burns, 51, was caught short just months after overseeing the closure of public loos in his area of South Lanarkshire in Scotland.

He was waiting in a taxi rank in the early hours of Saturday morning when he suddenly needed the toilet and relieved himself down a nearby lane in Hamilton town centre, Scotland.

He said: “I was approached by police, who gave me a £40 fine which I have duly paid. I am embarrassed by the incident and have apologised.”

Mr Burns is a Labour councillor and deputy leader of South Lanarkshire council.

Back in May, he announced that all the council’s public conveniences were closing as part of £22 million cutbacks by the Scottish Government.

John Wilson, an MSP for Central Scotland, said: “I am disappointed by this behaviour. He should consider his position as deputy leader.”

Police said: “A 51-year-old man was issued with a fixed penalty ticket in relation to a minor act of anti-social behaviour within Hamilton town centre on Saturday 7 November.”

The council has refused to comment.