MP took Covid to the Commons
SNP politician went to London and made speech despite suffering symptoms – then caught train back to Glasgow after testing positive
A SCOTTISH Nationalist MP broke Covid laws twice by bringing coronavirus into Parliament before travelling home to Scotland on a train, despite knowing she had the virus.
Margaret Ferrier, an SNP frontbencher, was under police investigation last night and faced calls to be fined £4,000 for “reckless” behaviour after testing positive on Monday.
The MP failed to inform her party of her test result, keeping it secret for two days. It was not until Wednesday that officials were told and were able to notify the parliamentary authorities.
Ms Ferrier was suspended by the SNP last night as Commons authorities and NHS contact tracers tried to track down everyone she had been in contact with and began a deep clean of Parliament. Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader and Scottish First Minister, said Ms Ferrier’s actions were “utterly indefensible”.
Ms Ferrier also faced accusations of hypocrisy after she had called for Dominic Cummings to resign following his alleged lockdown-breaking trip to Durham earlier this year.
The 60-year- old Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP took a coronavirus test after feeling unwell at the weekend but failed to self-isolate while awaiting the results, instead making the 380mile train journey to London.
While in the capital she attended the House of Commons and made a speech at 7.15pm on Monday, in which she paid tribute to NHS key workers and volunteers. She received her results that evening although it was unclear if this was before or after her speech.
Instead of self-isolating at her London home in accordance with the law, she took a train back to Scotland, and only went public with her condition last night. Despite a £4,000 fine being liable under regulations announced this week, legal experts said Ms Ferrier may have escaped the window, as the penalty should only be issued if the person received a test after Sept 28. Ms Ferrier took her test on Sept 26.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, was said to be “furious” after finding out about the positive test only on Wednesday night.
Ms Ferrier said: “I apologise unreservedly for breaching Covid-19 restrictions by travelling this week when I shouldn’t have. There is no excuse for my actions. On Saturday afternoon, after experiencing mild symptoms, I requested a Covid-19 test which I took that day. Feeling much better, I then travelled to London by train on Monday to attend Parliament as planned.
“This was wrong, and I am very sorry for my mistake. On Monday evening I received a positive test result for Covid19. 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. I have notified the Commons authorities who have spoken with Public Health England. I have also notified the police.”
Ian Blackford, the SNP’S Westminster leader, last night suspended Ms Ferrier, the party’s spokesman for manufacturing, but he also faced questions over how long it took him to inform Parliament.
An SNP spokesman said Ms Ferrier informed the party on Wednesday that she has tested positive at which point the party’s chief whip “immediately informed Parliament authorities”.
“The SNP only became aware yesterday that Ms Ferrier had been tested prior to travelling to London and had travelled back to Glasgow, knowing that she had a positive result,” they added.
The SNP’S David Linden, whose constituency neighbours Ms Ferrier’s, told BBC One’s Question Time she should resign as an MP. “I find it difficult to say to my constituents, who live in the neighbouring constituency ... that her actions were excusable, and so she does have to reflect on her position,” he said.
Pressed on whether she should quit, he added: “I don’t think her position is tenable and she should resign.”
Kirsty Blackman, an SNP MP, wrote on Twitter: “I agree with David Linden. Margaret Ferrier must resign.”
One member of Commons staff is
‘I don’t think her position is tenable and she should resign’
understood to be self-isolating after coming into contact with Ms Ferrier.
Each of the Holyrood opposition parties, the Conservatives, Labour, the Green Party and the Lib Dems, said the MP’S position was untenable last night.
A Commons spokesman said: “Ms Ferrier informed the SNP whip she was Covid-19 positive on Wednesday, the Speaker was told and the House authorities took necessary steps in line with their legal obligations and PHE guidance.”
Last Friday, the day before she began feeling unwell, Ms Ferrier met police officers in her constituency. The incubation period of the virus means she could have been infected at that time.
Sir Lindsay summoned Patrick Grady, the SNP chief whip, to make clear Ms Ferrier had broken the law. He is understood to have made his anger known to Mr Grady and said it was up to the party to take action.
Ms Sturgeon said: “This is utterly indefensible. It’s hard to express just how angry I feel.”
Ian Murray, the shadow Scottish secretary, said Ms Ferrier’s “astonishing recklessness” had endangered people.
Police Scotland said: “We are liaising with our colleagues in the Met.”