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Daily Record
Politics
Andrew Quinn

SNP MP accused of 'closing ranks' for voting against 30-day Margaret Ferrier suspension

An SNP MP has been accused of "closing ranks" for voting against a 30-day suspension for Margaret Ferrier.

Labour said Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock MP Allan Dorans' decision to vote against recommending the suspension was a "betrayal" of Ferrier's constituents.

Former SNP MP Ferrier could face a by-election after the House of Commons standards committee recommended she receives a 30-day suspension for breaching Covid rules on Thursday morning.

Ex-Metropolitan Police inspector Dorans voted alongside three Tory MPs in the committee against the suspension.

This contrasts with SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn who said Ferrier should resign.

Dorans also voted with the same three Conservatives in favour of a nine-day suspension for Ferrier, but it did not pass. If an MP is suspended for 10 days they can potentially face a by-election.

It is thought that the Tory MPs voted for a shorter suspension as a precedent for former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is facing similar action from the privileges committee.

Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP Ferrier lost the SNP whip and received a criminal conviction after travelling from London to Glasgow by train while infected with Covid at the height of the pandemic.

Labour's Shadow Scotland Secretary Murray said "Just when you think the SNP could not get any lower, Allan Dorrans has closed ranks and voted with the Tories to protect Margaret Ferrier.

"This is a betrayal of the people of Rutherglen and Hamilton West who deserve and need a new MP. It is clear for all to see that the SNPs party culture of one of cover-up and sleaze extends into their new Westminster and Scottish leaderships."

One of the Tory MPs who voted against the suspension was Bishopbriggs native Alberto Costa.

The House of Commons will now vote on whether the 30-day suspension should be put in place.

If 10 per cent of her constituents sign a petition, she will face a by-election.

The committee found that Ferrier's "failure was not a single misjudgement, but a series of deliberate actions over several days".

It also said that her actions demonstrated "a lack of honesty" and said that she "knowingly exposed others to risk".

It added that that “if Ms Ferrier had been a public sector employee in a position of trust or leadership, she could have faced severe disciplinary consequences, potentially including dismissal, for these or similar actions”.

It said that she committed two serious breaches of the members code of conduct.

These were "putting personal interest above the public interest" and "damaging reputation & integrity of the Commons as a whole".

The House of Commons vote on her suspension is expected to take place in a couple of weeks as parliament is in recess from Friday.

It is likely to pass following the Owen Paterson scandal, where then Prime Minister Boris Johnson was forced into a retreat after preventing the immediate suspension by launching a review of the entire disciplinary system.

Dorans and Ferrier have been contacted for comment.

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