A senior Australian politician was handcuffed to a pole in a Russian strip club while wearing nothing but his underpants, it has been revealed.Nigel Scullion had spent the evening drinking with a group of Icelandic whalers and Canadian fishermen in St Petersburg.

The incident has reignited a row in Australia over the behaviour of politicians.

The eventful night out, which happened in 1998, was revealed this week after Mr Scullion was elected deputy leader of the conservative opposition National Party.

It is the latest story involving strip clubs and politicians to hit the Australian media.Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who was elected last month, made a public apology in August after revelations he had a drunken night in a New York strip club in 2003 when he was a senior opposition politician.

There was more embarrassment for him after a video of him snacking on his own ear wax while in Parliament was posted on YouTube.

Mr Scullion was unapologetic for his behaviour though and even had advice for anyone who found themselves in a similar position.

The 51-year-old told Australian radio: "It was a terrific night.

"If you ever get an offer to go drinking with Icelandic whalers and Canadian crab fishermen, take them up on it.

"Two important lessons out of life from that: don't let anyone handcuff you to a post and make sure you always wear clean underwear."

Mr Scullion had struggled to break free from the pole as a fight broke out between Russian sailors and other patrons.

He apparently fled the club partially clothed.

Speaking about the incident, he said: "Everybody has a colourful past."

From SkyNews