Labour will have candidate ready amid calls for Ferrier by-election

Scottish Labour will have a candidate for a potential by- election in Margaret Ferrier ’ s constituency “within weeks”, the party has said.

Leader Richard Leonard announced the start of the selection process as the party steps up its campaign demanding the former SN PMP’ s resignation from Parliament for a Covid-19 breach.

The move would mean Scottish Labour has a candidate in place for a potential by- election in Rutherglen and Hamilton West in the event a recall petition is successful.

The MP said last week she has no intention of standing down but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford have been among those calling on her to quit.

Their calls relate to an incident in which she travelled hundreds of miles by public transport from her constituency to the House of Commons and back with Covid-19.

Scotland Yard has confirmed it cannot take action as the regulations on self-isolation came into force after Ms Ferrier was tested for the virus.

But, under Commons rules, MPs can decide to suspend a fellow member for breaches of code of conduct. If an MP is suspended for 30 parliamentary sitting days, a by- election is triggered.

Mr Leonard said: “The voters of Rutherglen and Hamilton West deserve better than a lame duck MP, who only speaks up for her own interests.

“That’s why Labour is bringing forward its candidate selection process, so that we are ready to contest a byelection which local people are crying out for.”

In a previous interview with The Sun on Sunday, Ms Ferriers aid she planned to “keep fighting for my constituents because that’s who I am”.

She said she received support locally after the incident and “owned up and apologised profusely”.