WHO IS MARGARET FERRIER?

Margaret Ferrier was elected as an SNP MP for the Rutherglen and Hamilton West at the 2019 snap General Election.

Ferrier previously represented the constituency from 2015-2017, until the seat was won by Labour’s Ged Killen.

The MP joined the Rutherglen branch of the SNP in 2011. She had been a Scottish Labour member in her youth.

Prior to her election Ferrier was a commercial sales supervisor for a manufacturing construction firm and studied shipping management at college.

As of last night, she is no longer an SNP representative as she has been suspended by the party. Unless she chooses to resign or is recalled, she will still be the area’s MP.

WHAT RULES DID SHE BREAK?

Ferrier travelled from Scotland to London by train to debate the coronavirus response in Parliament after experiencing Covid-19 symptoms. She later tested positive and returned to Scotland – also by train.

If a person experiences coronavirus symptoms they must self-isolate for 10 days, and those living in their household should self-isolate for 14 days.

READ MORE: Margaret Ferrier row: Ian Blackford calls for MP to resign after Covid trips

Self-isolation means staying in one place for the entire period and staying away from others. 

People self-isolating are not permitted to go to work or school, visit public areas or go shopping – there are very few situations where they are permitted to leave their place of self-isolation.

Ferrier has reported herself to the police after revealing she made the trips while Covid-positive.

WHAT HAVE SNP FIGURES SAID?

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford suspended Ferrier from the party last night and this morning called for her to consider her position.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon condemned Ferrier’s actions as “utterly indefensible” last night, adding: "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."

Other SNP MPs like David Linden, Kirsty Blackman and Stephen Flynn have called for Ferrier's resignation.

WHICH OTHER POLITICIANS HAVE BROKEN THE RULES?

Other people who have found themselves in the spotlight over the lockdown rules include:

The National: Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking in Peterborough

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn breached the "rule of six", which limits the number of people in social gatherings, according to a report.

He attended a dinner with eight other people, breaking one of the tight restrictions in place during the Covid-19 pandemic, The Sun newspaper said.

The newspaper said Corbyn had apologised.

  • Stanley Johnson

The Prime Minister's father Stanley Johnson has said he is "extremely sorry" after being pictured shopping without wearing a face covering on September 29.

He was pictured in The Daily Mirror newspaper perusing the shelves at a newsagents in west London, seemingly breaking the rules by not covering his mouth and nose.

  • Dominic Cummings

The National: Dominic Cummings (Yui Mok/PA)

The Prime Minister's senior aide faced calls to resign after he drove from London to County Durham despite strict lockdown restrictions introduced days earlier in late March.

He allegedly broke the Government's lockdown rules when he was spotted at his parents' property in Durham where he was recovering from coronavirus symptoms, after travelling from his London home with his wife and son who also fell ill.

Cummings defended his actions in a press conference in the Downing Street rose garden, saying he believed he behaved "reasonably" and did not regret his actions.

  • Professor Neil Ferguson

The scientist, whose research helped usher in the lockdown, resigned on May 5 from his role as a key UK Government adviser after admitting that he had undermined social distancing rules by reportedly meeting his "lover" at his home.

Scotland Yard criticised his behaviour as "plainly disappointing" but ruled out issuing a fine because he "has taken responsibility" after resigning as a key Government adviser in the coronavirus response.

  • Dr Catherine Calderwood

The National: Dr Catherine Calderwood, the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, photographed at St Andrew's House in Edinburgh. Picture: Gordon Terris/Herald & Times

Scotland's chief medical officer resigned in April after twice breaking lockdown restrictions in order to visit her second home, which was located more than an hour away from her main residence in Edinburgh.

Despite Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon initially backing Dr Calderwood to remain in her position, she ultimately decided to relinquish her role so as not to be a "distraction" from the Government's social-distancing message.

  • Robert Jenrick

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary was forced to explain himself in April after travelling more than an hour to visit his parents despite warning people to remain at home.

Jenrick was also criticised for travelling 150 miles from his London property to his Herefordshire home from where he travelled to his parents' home in Shropshire.

However, he defended his actions, saying he went to deliver food and medicine to his isolating parents.

  • Stephen Kinnock

The MP for Aberavon in South Wales was publicly shamed by police after travelling to celebrate his father's 78th birthday on March 28.

His father is former Labour leader Neil Kinnock.

After Kinnock posted a photo on Twitter of himself practising social distancing with his parents outside their home, South Wales Police replied: "We know celebrating your dad's birthday is a lovely thing to do, however this is not essential travel.

"We all have our part to play in this, we urge you to comply with (lockdown) restrictions, they are in place to keep us all safe. Thank you."