MP Margaret Ferrier to be sentenced after admitting Covid rules breach

Margaret Ferrier – the MP who admitted travelling between London and Scotland while Covid positive – is due to be sentenced.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court in August, Ferrier pleaded guilty to breaching rules put in place during the height of the pandemic.

Ferrier admitted to “culpable and reckless conduct” after being told to self-isolate in September, 2020.

The MP, who was suspended by the SNP, said that she was experiencing “mild symptoms” of the virus on Saturday, September 26 and took a test.

She went on to attend a number of events in her constituency in South Lanarkshire on Sunday, September 27.

It included giving a reading to a congregation of 45 people at St Mungo’s Parish Church.

Despite the rules at the time in Scotland stating that those with symptoms would have to self-isolate for at least 10 days and book a test, Ferrier travelled to London by train on Monday, September 28.

She went on to make a speech in the House of Commons that evening while awaiting the test result, which shortly afterwards was confirmed as positive.

The next morning, on Tuesday, September 29, Ferrier boarded a train from London to Glasgow without seeking advice and began self-isolating when she got home.

Contact tracers for NHS Test and Protect attempted to contact Ferrier on four occasions, but were unable to do so, leaving two voicemails.

On Wednesday, September 30, Ferrier informed the SNP that she had tested positive, with Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle being informed that day around 4pm.

The SNP insisted that it did not know at this stage that Ferrier had taken a test before travelling to London.

Ferrier reported herself to Police Scotland on Thursday, October 1, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon learning of her actions later that afternoon at around 1.25pm.

The MP faced renewed calls to resign following her guilty plea.

Despite having the whip removed by the SNP, Ferrier remains as the MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West.