An MP who travelled between Glasgow and London after testing positive for covid has been sentenced to 270 hours of community service.
Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP Margaret Ferrier admitted putting people at risk by travelling on a train in September 2020 after taking a test for the virus.
The former SNP politician admitted she had culpably and recklessly exposed the public "to the risk of infection, illness and death" at a hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court last month.
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Sheriff Principal Craig Turnbull told Ferrier that he had decided against imposing a prison sentence.
He instead ordered her to carry out 270 hours of unpaid work within a nine-month period. The term was cut from 300 hours due to her guilty plea.
Sheriff Turnbull told Ferrier: "You wilfully disregarded the guidance and did not self-isolate after your test.
"Your behaviour was deliberate and extended over a number of days. The gravity of harm that could have resulted from your actions could have been significant."
Ferrier - wearing a face-mask in court - went on to confirm to the sheriff that she would agree to the terms of the community payback order.
Prosecutor Mark Allan told the earlier hearing how Ferrier booked a Covid test online on September 26 2020.
The then nationalist politician stated she was "symptomatic" with a cough. Ferrier went on to visit a test centre at Glasgow's Caledonian University.
Mr Allan said: "Ferrier subsequently failed to isolate pending the outcome of her test. The conduct amounted to a reckless disregard of public safety."
Scotland was under strict instructions at the time which Ferrier ignored which the court was told was a "reckless disregard for public safety.
Ferrier attended a midday mass at St Mungo's parish church in Glasgow the next day where she gave a reading to the congregation of 45 people.
Social distancing measures were in place and Ferrier wore a mask when she was not speaking. Ferrier then attended Vic's Bar in Prestwick, Ayrshire where she stayed for two-and-a-half hours.
Ferrier took a 10-to-15-minute taxi journey from her home in Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire, to Glasgow Central station the next day while wearing a face mask.
The politician entered a Marks and Spencer at the station before boarding a train with 183 people on board to London Euston. Ferrier checked into the Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster Bridge, before attending the Houses of Parliament at 7.15pm.
Mr Allan said: "She spoke in the chamber of the of the commons where social distancing was in operation and apart from when speaking, she wore a face mask."
Ferrier sat at a table usually allocated for SNP members with DUP MP Jim Shannon where they conversed for 20 minutes.
Mr Allan said: "The positive result from the test was delivered at 8.03pm by text and email.
"She attended the SNP whips' office and spoke to then chief whip Patrick Grady MP. She informed Mr Grady that she would return to Scotland in the morning."
Ferrier returned to her hotel at 9.20pm where she spent the night before heading back to London Euston. The hearing was told at its busiest time, the train held 153 passengers.
Contact tracers for NHS Test and Protect attempted to contact Ferrier on four occasions but were unable to do so leaving two voicemails.
Ferrier later contacted Test and Protect and disclosed that she had a "slight and infrequent cough" the day before her test.
Mr Allan added: "She said she did not believe that she would be positive."
Ferrier then informed Mr Grady and the Parliamentary Test and Trace service that she was positive.
This led to Mr Shannon being ordered to take a test and isolate in his hotel room - he later tested negative.
Mr Grady was told the following day at a meeting at the Speaker's Office in the House of Commons that Ferrier's actions required to be reported to the police.
Ferrier contacted police and informed them of her breach before sending out a statement on her social media.
She said: "Despite feeling well, I should have self-isolated while waiting for my test result and deeply regret my actions.
"I take full responsibility and I urge everyone not to make the same mistakes that I have and do all they can to limit the spread of Covid-19."
An initial investigation from Metropolitan Police was handed over to Police Scotland.
Public health expert Dr Andrew Riley told the police that Ferrier "significantly increased the risk of harm to both individual and public health."
Ferrier handed herself in to police on January 4, 2021 where she was arrested.
Her SNP whip removed when allegations emerged. She came under pressure to resign from her seat, but remains as a MP.
Her KC today told the court that Ferrier had "convinced herself" the test would be negative and that there would be no danger. There had then been "uncontrolled panic" when it came back positive.
Brian McConnachie, defending, added: "It was 48 hours of poor decisions in a lifetime of otherwise a complete observance and upholding of the law."
The advocate also referred to Covid lockdown breaches in Westminster.
Mr McConnachie: "There have been a number of high profile cases down south having been dealt with in a different manner. I recognise that, in some ways, they are different (from Ferrier).
"On one view less serious, but, on another, more so in that there were pubic gatherings taking place for fun effectively."
The KC said 34 testimonials had been written on Ferrier's behalf including one from Jim Shannon. He added Ferrier will likely lose her seat at the next election due to her being an independent.
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