Silvio Berlusconi banned from politics for two years after being convicted of tax fraud The ex-Italian prime minister has been handed a 24-month political ban Lost final appeal in August over tax fraud conviction and four-year jail term He is also facing a six-year ban from politics under a 2012 law Disgraced: Ex-Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has been handed a two-year political ban after being convicted of tax fraud Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has been handed a two-year political ban after being convicted of tax fraud. The disgraced politician, 77, lost his final appeal in August over the fraud conviction and a four-year jail term. Now, he is facing the loss of his senate seat for 24 months under a ruling by an appeals court in his home town of Milan. It is second political ban process to be set in motion following Berlusconi's failed appeal this summer. Under a 2012 law, anyone convicted to more than two years in prison cannot hold or run for office for six years. Berlusconi, who had already been facing being kicked out of parliament under this law, was initially handed a five-year political ban for his tax fraud conviction. However, the court was ordered by Italy's highest judges to reassess the length of the ban after prosecutors admitting errors in sentencing. The billionaire's lawyer Nicolo Ghedini has pledged to appeal the two-year ban to Italy's highest criminal court - a move that could be rendered futile if the six-year expulsion is already in place. If approved by parliament, the ban will prevent Berlusconi from wholly participating in new elections - but he could remain the titular head of his party without holding political office. Last week, it was revealed that the media tycoon won't have to carry out his four-year prison sentence - reduced to one year under an amnesty for crimes committed before 2006 - because of his age. He has opted for 12 months' community service instead of house arrest - meaning he will have to join other convicts in carrying out menial tasks, such as cutting the grass in public parks, painting sheltered accommodation or picking up litter. Pressure: It is the second political ban process to be set in motion following Berlusconi's failed appeal this summer. Above, the disgraced politican is pictured at the Italian Senate in Rome earlier this month The political bans come after a turbulent few months for the ex-politician, who was also found guilty of having sex with an underage prostitute at his infamous bunga bunga parties. He was sentenced to seven years in jail for that offence and for abuse of office for trying to cover up the crime, but he still has two levels of appeal before the conviction and eventual punishment is confirmed. A Naples court is also investigating Berlusconi for allegedly bribing a lawmaker to bolt a previous centre-left government under Romano Prodi. Although a Senate committee has approved the bans, they need to be confirmed by parliament - with a vote by the whole chamber expected by the end of the year. For now, Berlusconi and his centre-right forces have pledged to continue their support for prime minister Enrico Letta's cross-party government.