Hong Kong lawmaker and former chairman of the region's democratic party Albert Ho has been fined HK$10,000 for looking at pictures of bikini-clad women during a budget speech, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) has reported.

Ho, senior partner at Hong Kong firm Ho Tse Wai & Partners and a member of the Legislative Council (LegCo), has agreed to pay the fine to a women's organisation or other non-governmental group before the end of the month, according to the English-language newspaper in the city.

Photos of Ho looking at pictures of the models on his iPad during a budget speech by financial secretary John Tsang Chun-wah to LegCo were revealed by local media last week.

He was subsequently called before a panel set up by his party's disciplinary committee to decide on an appropriate course of action. He has since apologised to the public and fellow party members for his conduct, reports said.

Hong Kong-born Ho was chairman of the region's democratic party from 2006 to 2012, and was succeeded by fellow LegCo member Emily Lau.

He was appointed to the lawmaker post in 1995, and in 2012 stood unsuccessfully for the Hong Kong chief executive position.

He is also understood to have represented whistleblower Edward Snowden during his time in Hong Kong.

Related: Ex-K&L Gates Hong Kong partner sentenced to 12 years for fraud