“In truth they were bogus from start to finish… This sad fall from grace was entirely self-inflicted."
Chaytor had originally received a two year sentence, reduced by six months, in light of his guilty plea, which he made at Southwark Crown Court last December.
He admitted three counts of false accounting after claims for parliamentary privilege and abuse of process – arguing he could not get a fair trial due to adverse publicity - were thrown out by the courts.
Mr Sturman argued that his client should have been entitled to a third off the two year sentence because of his early plea.
However, the judge said the MP had “known all along that he had been dishonest” and only changed his plea when he ran out of options.
Lord Judge went even further, and said sentencing judge Mr Justice Saunders could have legitimately given the convicted ex-MP even less credit for his guilty plea.
“Indeed, in the circumstances, the discount could, without being open to criticism, have been somewhat further reduced.”
Chaytor is currently serving out his sentence at Spring Hill prison in Buckinghamshire, a category D open prison.