Ex NSW MP Macdonald begins prison term

Disgraced former NSW minister Ian Macdonald has begun his prison term for wilful misconduct in public office after signalling he will launch an appeal.

The 68-year-old was on Friday handed a maximum 10 year sentence by NSW Supreme Court Justice Christine Adamson, and will serve at least seven years.

Macdonald signed over a Hunter Valley mining licence in 2008 without a competitive tender to Doyles Creek Mining, chaired by his friend and former union boss John Maitland.

Justice Adamson said Macdonald was guilty of "gross breaches of the trust that parliament placed in him".

Maitland was sentenced to up to six years behind bars with a minimum term of four years.

The 71-year-old, who made $6 million selling shares in a company that acquired Doyles Creek Mining after the licence was granted, was found guilty of being an accessory to the misconduct.

Macdonald has said he will pursue an appeal.