MARGARET Ferrier should consider her position after travelling across the Border twice while Covid-positive, the SNP’s Westminster leader has said.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Ian Blackford said there was “no defence” for the Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP’s behaviour.
Despite experiencing coronavirus symptoms, Ferrier travelled from Scotland to London and even gave a four-minute speech in the House of Commons.
She then tested positive for the virus – and travelled back up to Scotland via train despite self-isolation rules.
Ferrier was suspended from the SNP after the news emerged and she has since referred herself to the police.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon slates SNP MP’s ‘utterly indefensible’ Covid breaches
This morning, Blackford said: "There is no defence for such behaviour. As a public figure, you will rightly be judged for the things that you do.
"As her party leader at Westminster, I have withdrawn the whip and she must now consider her position and reflect on what she has done."
Speaking to Good Morning Scotland later, Blackford said Ferrier’s behaviour was “wholly wrong”.
He said he had not known Ferrier was in Parliament on Monday or had gone home, and the Chief Whip had only been informed of her positive test on Wednesday.
Blackford was then told Ferrier had tested positive yesterday, and asked for a “number” of questions about the overall timeline to be put to her. This was when the full picture emerged.
It came after David Linden, the SNP MP for Glasgow East, told BBC Question Time that he was “furious” over the matter and Ferrier should resign.
Kirsty Blackman, the party’s former Westminster deputy leader, wrote online in response: “I agree with David Linden. Margaret Ferrier must resign. Both David and Margaret are unparalleled campaigners for our party but in this circumstance David is right. Margaret’s actions cannot be overlooked.”
Stephen Flynn, the SNP MP for Aberdeen South, has also called on Ferrier to consider her position.
Last night the First Minister took to Twitter to condemn Ferrier’s actions, writing: “This is utterly indefensible. It’s hard to express just how angry I feel on behalf of people across the country making hard sacrifices every day to help beat Covid.
“The rules apply to everyone and they’re in place to keep people safe. Ian Blackford is right to suspend the whip.”
Ferrier posted an apology to her Twitter account, which says there was “no excuse” for her actions.
The MP was previously vocal about similar rule breaches by senior UK Government adviser Dominic Cummings, who drove from London to Durham while Covid-positive during lockdown.
Tory MSP Graham Simpson pointed to that example, saying: “Margaret Ferrier should listen to her own words, do the right thing and resign.”
A House of Commons spokesman said: “An MP has confirmed they have been diagnosed with coronavirus. The House’s priority is to ensure those on the estate are safe while business is facilitated. We have closely followed public health guidance on the action to take following a confirmed case of Covid on site.”
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