Nicola Sturgeon calls on Margaret Ferrier to quit role as MP

Nicola Sturgeon has called for SNP MP Margaret Ferrier to step down following news she returned to Scotland after testing positive for Covid-19.
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The First Minister made an announcement on Twitter on Friday morning, a day after the the Rutherglen and Hamilton MP apologised for admitting travelling into Parliament with coronavirus.

It read: "I’ve spoken to Margaret Ferrier and made clear my view that she should step down as an MP.

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"I did so with a heavy heart - she is a friend and colleague - but her actions were dangerous and indefensible. I have no power to force an MP to resign but I hope she will do the right thing."

Having had symptoms over the weekend, Margaret Ferrier completed a coronavirus test, but travelled to London anyway while waiting for her results.

She then continued to breach the restrictions by attending parliament and giving a speech in the Commons while being unsure as to whether she had the virus or not.

Ms Ferrrier, who faces becoming the first person in the UK to be fined £4,000 for “recklessly” leaving isolation, had stood up in the Commons at about 7pm on Monday night and paid tribute to the hard work of NHS and care workers during the pandemic.

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She then received her positive test later that evening and proceeded to get on a train home from London, knowing she had coronavirus.

SNP MPs also called on her to quit as an MP.

Ian Blackford, Westminster leader of the SNP, said: "I am sad to say that Margaret has made a tremendous error judgement. She has apologised for it, but at the end of the day her credibility has been called into question. But not just that, the fact that in doing this she has broken the law."

"I would say to her that her position isn't tenable given the circumstances we are in."

David Linden, the SNP MP for the Glasgow East, and Kirsty Blackman, SNP MP for Aberdeen North also tweeted that Ferrier must resign.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Margaret FerrierFirst Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Margaret Ferrier
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Margaret Ferrier
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Stephen Flynn, SNP MP for Aberdeen South, retweeted Blackman’s post, writing: “Impossible to disagree. The public will expect nothing less.”

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