NUMBER 10 has refused to urge MP Margaret Ferrier to resign after breaching coronavirus rules on self-isolation.
The MP was suspended from the SNP last night after it emerged she had travelled twice by train while Covid-positive.
Ferrier, who represents Rutherglen and Hamilton West, took a train from Scotland to London after suffering coronavirus symptoms. She then attended a House of Commons debate.
Later, after receiving a positive coronavirus test result, she returned from London to Scotland via train.
READ MORE: IN FULL: Nicola Sturgeon responds to Margaret Ferrier's Covid trips at briefing
The First Minister said at the Scottish Government briefing she had made it “crystal clear” that the MP should step down from her position.
Several other senior SNP figures including Ian Blackford have also urged Ferrier to resign.
But today at Westminster, a Downing Street spokesperson refused to call for Ferrier to go.
The spokesman stressed the importance of following the rules on self-isolation and social distancing, but stopped short of calling on the MP to quit.
"That is a matter for her and her party. We have been clear of the need for people to follow the rules. This is all about saving lives and protecting vulnerable people,” he said.
“The Prime Minister has been clear that everybody needs to follow the rules in order to allow us to reduce the spread of the virus and protect lives.”
He added: "We've been clear that people must self isolate where they have symptoms. If they test positive or they're contacted by test and trace. And as I say we've been clear that people need to follow those rules."
Their failure to call for Ferrier to step down comes after the Prime Minister defended his senior adviser Dominic Cummings when he was accused of breaching Covid-19 guidelines earlier this year.
Boris Johnson stood by Cummings despite intense criticism and public fury over his trip from London to Durham, and then to Barnard Castle, while suffering symptoms of coronavirus during lockdown.
Cummings was even given a press conference in Downing Street’s rose garden, allowing him to put forward his side of the story and take questions from the media in an unprecedented move.
Johnson refused to sack his adviser, while Cummings refused to quit or apologise for his behaviour.
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