THE First Minister has told Margaret Ferrier to step down as an MP after it emerged she made two train journeys while Covid-positive.
The Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP, who was suspended from the SNP last night, travelled from Scotland to London despite suffering coronavirus symptoms. She attended the House of Commons and gave a short speech.
She later tested positive for Covid-19 before again boarding a train and travelling back to Scotland, breaching self-isolation rules.
The SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford suspended Ferrier from the party last night, and called on her to consider her position this morning. Other MPs including Kirsty Blackman, Stephen Flynn and David Linden called on Ferrier to resign.
READ MORE: SNP MP Margaret Ferrier travels to Scotland after testing positive for Covid
This morning Nicola Sturgeon added her voice to those calling on the MP to step down.
The SNP leader tweeted: “I’ve spoken to Margaret Ferrier and made clear my view that she should step down as an MP.
“I did so with a heavy heart - she is a friend & colleague - but her actions were dangerous & indefensible. I have no power to force an MP to resign but I hope she will do the right thing.”
I’ve spoken to Margaret Ferrier and made clear my view that she should step down as an MP. I did so with a heavy heart - she is a friend & colleague - but her actions were dangerous & indefensible. I have no power to force an MP to resign but I hope she will do the right thing.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) October 2, 2020
Ferrier apologised for her actions yesterday evening, posting a statement to say her behaviour had been “wrong”.
She wrote: “I apologise unreservedly for breaching Covid-19 restrictions by travelling this week when I shouldn’t have.
“There is no excuse for my actions.”
Ferrier has referred herself to the police.
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