MARGARET Ferrier has made her first appearance in the Commons since being suspended from the SNP over a coronavirus rule breach.
The Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP asked the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Foreign Affairs Secretary a question during a debate on the disqualification of pro-democracy lawyers in Hong Kong.
Ferrier was suspended by the SNP last month after travelling to and from Westminster after developing Covid-19 symptoms. She was informed while in London that she had tested positive, but still opted to return home.
Since ending self-isolation, Ferrier has voted by proxy, with suspended Plaid Cymru MP Jonathan Edward casting a vote on her behalf. She has not made an oral contribution to Commons proceedings since September.
READ MORE: Emails reveal pressure on Nicola Sturgeon over Margaret Ferrier
Today, she asked Nigel Adams if Downing Street would consider abolishing expensive immigration health surcharges for those applying for British national overseas (BNO) passports.
The Tory minister insisted his government has been “generous” with BNOs, adding: “We’ve developed proposals for a bespoke immigration route for [BNOs] and their dependents, with five years limited leave to remain with the right to work or study.”
He urged Ferrier to write to the Home Office for clarification on plans for overseas passport appilcations.
The Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP has lost the SNP whip, with Nicola Sturgeon calling her behaviour “utterly indefensible”.
Nevertheless, Ferrier has vowed serving the constituents who elected her, telling the Sun on Sunday she’d “panicked” on getting the test result and felt she’d no option but to go home, given that she has no flat in London.
Rutherglen SNP Constituency Association have called for their local representative to step down, saying its members shared constituents’ feelings of “shock, anger and sadness” over Ferrier’s actions.
The Metropolitan police announced last month that the MP will face no further action, stating the regulations on self-isolation came into force after she was tested.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel