Sturgeon takes aim at disgraced MP Ferrier
NICOLA Sturgeon has once again urged Margaret Ferrier to quit after breaching coronavirus restrictions. It comes after the Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP spoke out for the first time following the Covid scandal.
Ms Ferrier has received repeated backlash over her train journey with Covid- 19 symptoms and a return journey on public transport after having tested positive.
She told the Scottish Sun that having the infection caused her to “act out of character” and she “panicked” before taking the 350- mile trip by train back to Scotland.
But she emphasised she had no intention to resign as an MP despite being suspended by the SNP and having the party whip withdrawn from her.
Speaking on Sky News’ Sophie Ridge On Sunday show, First Minister Sturgeon said the breach was “unacceptable” and Ms Ferrier should resign as an MP.
Ms Sturgeon said: “I couldn’t be clearer, she should step down from Parliament.
“The lapse of judgment in travelling hundreds of miles knowing she had tested positive for Covid- 19 was so significant and so unacceptable that I don’t think there is any other acceptable course of action for her.
“I’ve read her comments in the media today but I still hope she will do the right thing.
“Every day, I have to stand and ask people across the country to do horrendously difficult things, to not visit their loved ones, and right now I’m asking people to understand why they can’t go to a pub or a restaurant.
“And it is unacceptable that somebody in her position flagrantly disregarded the rules like that and I cannot be clearer about that.
“It is not acceptable and she should resign.”
In her interview with the Scottish Sun, Ms Ferrier, 60, said she has received support locally after the incident and has “owned up and apologised profusely”.
She also spoke out about the level of criticism she has received over the incident, adding: “You feel you are getting a lot of criticism from people you thought were your colleagues or friends who’d understand it was an error of judgment. I’m not denying that.
“People may be saying, ‘ You should have known better, you’re a public figure’. But at the end of the day it still hurts.
“You then think about all that hard work and dedication – is that just wiped away?”
Meanwhile, a further 956 people tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland, as of the latest figures yesterday.
However, no further deaths were registered in the 24- hours the date accounts for.
This represents 14.9% of newlytested individuals, up from 14.1% on Friday.
The largest increase in cases was seen in Greater Glasgow with 296 people testing positive.
NHS Lanarkshire has seen 225 new cases and 158 people tested positive in NHS Lothian.
Meanwhile, another 72 cases were registered under NHS Ayrshire and Arran.
As of yesterday, 449 people were in hospital with confirmed coronavirus, an increase of 17.
And 35 people were in intensive care, up by one.
I couldn’t be clearer, she should step down