Scottish MP Margaret Ferrier pleads guilty in court to Covid rule breaches
The Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP travelled in and around Glasgow and by train to London despite being told to self isolate
Last updated 18th Aug 2022
Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP Margaret Ferrier has pleaded guilty to breaching Covid rules by travelling from Glasgow to London by train in the knowledge she had symptoms of coronavirus.
In a hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Thursday, the former SNP MP admitted that she culpably and recklessly exposed the public to risk of Covid-19 infection by making several journeys despite having been told to self-isolate between September 26 and 29, 2020.
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Ferrier, who has the SNP whip removed in 2020 when the allegations came to light, admitted wilfully exposing people "to the risk of infection, illness and death" by visiting various places in and around the greater Glasgow area and London.
During the hearing, the court heard Ferrier did a test for Covid-19 on September 26 after showing symptoms, including a cough.
The next day she read to a congregation of about 45 people at a mass in St Mungo's Church, Glasgow, before heading to Vic's bar in Main Street, Prestwick, South Ayrshire.
She then travelled to London by train on the September 27 and spoke in the Commons later that day.
A short time after, she found out she had tested positive for the virus.
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The court heard Test and Protect had tried to contact her three times and left two voicemails at about 10am that day before Ferrier returned the call at about 2pm, almost four hours later.
Ferrier then returned to her hotel, where she spent the night, before heading back to London Euston and taking the train home to Glasgow, knowing she had Covid-19.
The MP, who was present in court on Thursday, informed Patrick Grady, the then chief whip, and who she had spoken to while in the Commons.
She had also sat at a table with DUP MP Jim Shannon, who was identified as a close contact.
He was told to test and isolate in his hotel room. He tested negative.
Mr Grady was told the following day at a meeting at the Speaker's Office in the House of Commons that Ferrier needed to report her actions to Police Scotland.
Ferrier contacted police and informed them of her breach before sending out a statement on her social media.
In January 2021, she was charged with culpable and reckless conduct, the court heard.
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Prosecutor Mark Allan told the court: "The conduct amounted to a reckless disregard of public safety."
Since having the party whip removed in 2020 Ferrier has come under pressure to resign from her seat, but remains as an independent MP.
She had been due to go on trial this week before entering her guilty plea on Thursday.
Sentencing was deferred pending legal reports until September.