Margaret Ferrier MP loses appeal on House of Commons suspension

Margaret Ferrier MP has lost her appeal against a proposed 30-day suspension from the House of Commons for breaching coronavirus rules.

The independent Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP was found to have damaged the reputation of the Commons and put people at risk after taking part in a debate and travelling by train while suffering from Covid-19 in September 2020.

Ms Ferrier has already been ordered to complete a 270-hour community payback order by a court after admitting culpably and recklessly exposing the public "to the risk of infection, illness and death" as a result of her behaviour.

'No substance' in appeal

The Commons Standards Committee in March recommended that Ms Ferrier should be suspended for 30 days but she appealed against the decision.

However, an independent expert panel on Monday dismissed her appeal, stating there is "no substance" in the grounds of the appeal.

It stated: "The first stage of the appeal process has not been met. The sanction imposed was neither unreasonable nor disproportionate. For these reasons, this appeal is dismissed."

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