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Daily Record
Daily Record
Politics
Chris McCall

Shamed MP Margaret Ferrier urged to 'do the right thing' and resign her seat following guilty plea

Shamed MP Margaret Ferrier has been called on "to do the right thing" and resign her Westminster seat after pleading guilty to breaking coronavirus laws.

The former SNP member admitted that she had travelled in and around Glasgow and to London in September 2020 despite having tested for the virus.

While awaiting results, the independent MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West spoke in the Houses of Parliament and visited elsewhere in London.

A court heard she then took the train home to Glasgow after being told she had tested positive for Covid-19.

Ferrier, of Cambuslang, admitted that she had culpably and recklessly exposed the public “to the risk of infection, illness and death” at a hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Thursday.

Scottish Labour MSP Neil Bibby called for Ferrier to give "serious consideration" to stepping down following her guilty plea.

He said: "Her dangerous actions must be condemned in the strongest fashion.

"Now that she has pled guilty, serious consideration must be given to her future as an MP.

"The people of Rutherglen and Hamilton West deserve a fresh start."

Tory MSP Graham Simpson accused Ferrier of having a "brass neck" for failing to resign when charges were first brought against her.

He said: "Margaret Ferrier’s actions at the height of the pandemic were reckless and indefensible. It is astonishing that it has taken until the moment she stood up in court to admit her guilt at putting others at risk from a deadly virus.

"Over the near two years since her actions were exposed, Margaret Ferrier has shamefully refused to do the right thing and resign as a MP.

"She has had the brass neck to return and participate in Parliamentary proceedings. Her constituents across Rutherglen and Hamilton West who followed the rules deserve better from the individual they put their trust in to represent them.

"Her belated admission of guilt should now only accelerate the process of her doing the right thing and giving up being a MP.

"Her irresponsible behaviour fell well short of the standards expected from an elected representative, and she should no longer enjoy the benefits that comes with being an MP."

Alex Cole-Hamilton, Scottish Lib Dem leader, said: "Margaret Ferrier has made herself a pantomime villain in her own community and across the country after she recklessly endangered the public.

"She has doubled down on her contempt for the public by remaining in office."

A recall petition could now be triggered which could see Ferrier lose her seat - but it will depend on the sentence she receives.

A petition can be held if an MP is convicted of any offence and is sentenced to a term of imprisonment.

If a petition was triggered, a by-election would be held if 10 per cent of eligible voters in the constituency sign it.

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