IAN Blackford has piled the pressure on Margaret Ferrier to resign as an MP after her rule-breaking trip to and from Westminster.
The Rutherglen and Hamilton West representative has already been suspended by the SNP.
If she refuses to stand down, she could face a recall petition, which could ultimately force a by-election if backed by at least 10% of her constituents. For that to happen she would first need to be suspended from the Commons for at least 10 sitting days.
Blackford has now called on Ferrier to “do the honourable thing” or be faced with the prospect of being forced out.
The SNP Westminster leader told the Telegraph: "Margaret has to respect the fact there's been a breach of trust between her and the electorate. She has to preserve her own self-respect and dignity and do the honourable thing.
"A failure to resign on her own terms means she will face a parliamentary standards inquiry. Nobody knows where that will go but she runs the risk of having her fate being taken out of her hands."
READ MORE: George Kerevan: Margaret Ferrier's Covid trip was terrible, but here's why I still feel for her
Ferrier took a coronavirus test last Saturday after experiencing symptoms. Despite that she then travelled to London by train on Monday and gave a speech in the Commons.
When she received a positive test result that evening, she stayed in a hotel in London before heading back to Scotland by train.
The MP misled her SNP colleagues by suggesting she was leaving Parliament early to visit a sick family member.
Ferrier posted an apology on Twitter, saying there was “no excuse” for her actions. She has also referred herself to Kathryn Stone, the parliamentary commissioner for standards, and to the police.
She has faced calls from several members of her own party to resign, including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. So far, the MP has not responded publicly.
READ MORE: SNP have 'taken all the action we can' against Covid commuter Margaret Ferrier
Yesterday, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said the SNP have “taken all the action” they can.
He did not disclose whether the SNP would back or lead a recall petition against Ferrier, insisting that was a decision for her constituents.
The Speaker of the House of Commons is likely to condemn the Rutherglen and Hamilton West representative when Parliament reconvenes today.
Lindsay Hoyle said over the weekend: "How could somebody put us at risk? We cannot allow that."
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