Margaret Ferrier has lost the SNP whip but so far refused to resign as an MP, after travelling 400 miles from Glasgow to London while awaiting results of a COVID-19 test. The Member of Parliament for Rutherglen and Hamilton West even spoke in the House of Commons before making a return trip via public transport to Scotland, after finding out her coronavirus test was positive. The First Minister has said she has made it “crystal clear” during a call to Ms Ferrier that she should resign her seat following the “monumental” error of judgment.
The Metropolitan Police has also said it is “conducting an investigation into potential offences” with British Transport Police.
Speaking on Friday, Ms Sturgeon acknowledged she did not have the power to force an MP out of their post, but the SNP leader is facing calls to support a recall petition.
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has said he is “surprised, amazed and shocked” Ms Ferrier has not resigned.
Mr Ross told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday, the SNP MPs actions were “irresponsible and dangerous”.
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard has said Ms Sturgeon must support a recall petition to remove Ms Ferrier.
Under parliamentary rules a recall petition could be triggered if an MP is suspended from the Commons for two weeks.
Any petition would then need the backing of at least 10 percent of eligible voters in their constituency.
On Thursday, Ms Ferrier apologised and said there was “no excuse” for her actions and revealed she took a coronavirus test last Saturday after developing symptoms.
Despite feeling unwell she took a train from Glasgow to Parliament on Monday, when the guidelines say anyone with symptoms should self-isolate.
On Monday evening, Ms Ferrier even took part in a debate in the Commons and was informed later in the evening of her positive coronavirus result.
With the knowledge she had the deadly virus, Ms Ferrier then boarded a train from the capital back to Scotland on Tuesday.
SNP staff at Westminster say they were told on Wednesday, and initially thought she had taken the test after returning to Scotland, only learning about her breaches of self-isolation rules on Thursday.
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The First Minister added: “I don’t have the power to force an MP to sit down, no party leader has that power.
“But I can make my views known and, difficult though it is, I have done so, and I hope she will come to the right decision.
“This is not a minor breach of the rules, it is not an inadvertent breach of the rules, it is a really flagrant and dangerous breach of the rules.”
