SNP MP suspended after travelling from Westminster with Covid-19
Last updated 1st Oct 2020
An SNP MP has been suspended after breaking Covid-19 rules.
Margaret Ferrier, who represents Rutherglen and Hamilton West, apologised for travelling to London after experiencing symptoms.
She then took a train back to Glasgow, after testing positive.
On Thursday night, the party's Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, confirmed the whip has been suspended.
First Minister and party leader Nicola Sturgeon condemned the "utterly indefensible" behaviour amid calls for the MP to go.
In a statement on Twitter, Ms Ferrier acknowledged that "there is no excuse for my actions'' after revealing her journey while positive with the virus.
She said she took a test on Saturday afternoon after experiencing "mild symptoms'', meaning she should have self-isolated, before travelling by train to London on Monday.
"This was wrong, and I am very sorry for my mistake,'' the MP said.
Ms Ferrier spoke in the coronavirus debate in the House of Commons on Monday and, by her account, tested positive for Covid-19 that evening.
"I travelled home by train on Tuesday morning without seeking advice. This was also wrong and I am sorry.
"I have been self-isolating at home ever since,'' she said.
The MP said she has "notified the police of my actions'' and has informed the test and trace system and the Commons authorities.
"Despite feeling well, I should have self-isolated while waiting for my test result, and I deeply regret my actions.
"I take full responsibility and I would urge everyone not to make the same mistakes that I have, and do all they can to help limit the spread of Covid-19,'' she said.
The train drivers' union, ASLEF, called her actions "dangerous and disgraceful".
Shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray called on SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon to condemn the MP's actions and pursue disciplinary measures against her for having acted with "astonishing recklessness''.
"She has put passengers, rail staff, fellow MPs, Commons staff and many others at unacceptable risk,'' the Labour MP said.
"To breach the rules twice is simply unforgivable, and has undermined all the sacrifices made by her constituents.
"Nicola Sturgeon must come out and condemn her MP's actions and tell the Scottish people what disciplinary action she will be taking. There cannot be one rule for Margaret Ferrier, another for everybody else.''
Ms Ferrier previously called on the Government to investigate Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson's chief adviser, for potential breaches of the rules over his trip to Durham.
She criticised the Prime Minister for standing by his aid, and accused Mr Cummings of "undermining public trust in lockdown rules''.
Ruth Davidson, the Conservative leader in Holyrood, said: "This Margaret Ferrier case is different - knowingly taking public transport after testing positive for Covid-19 is to put lives at risk.
"She has to go."
On Monday, Ms Ferrier gave a four-minute speech in the Commons from 7.15pm and focused on the "economic health'' of her constituents, calling for greater financial support.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We are aware of the circumstances and are liaising with our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police Service."
The Commons confirmed she had informed parliamentary authorities of her diagnosis.
"We have closely followed public health guidance on the action to take following a confirmed case of Covid on site,'' a spokesman said.
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