Airdrie’s MP has joined the voices calling for Rutherglen politician Margaret Ferrier to resign after she made an 800-mile round trip by train and visited constituents while she was required to self-isolate and after testing positive for coronavirus.
Neil Gray called his SNP colleague’s actions “completely unacceptable, inexcusable and dangerous”.
Ms Ferrier booked a Covid-19 test after experiencing symptoms, but then visited local businesses in her Rutherglen & Hamilton East seat and travelled on public transport to make a brief speech at the House of Commons.
That was followed by making the return trip home after learning that she had tested positive.
Mr Gray told the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser: “I am most angry on behalf of my constituents who have rightly stuck to the rules, even though it has meant considerable personal sacrifice for months.
“This is very serious which is why I am glad the party has taken the maximum action possible, removing the whip and suspending her membership.”
He added: “No party can force an MP to resign their seat – that is a personal decision.
“There are rightly active police and parliamentary investigations underway, either of which could see her lose her job.”
Since the coronavirus breach came to light a week ago, Ms Ferrier has faced fury from constituents – reflected in an open letter in our sister title, the Rutherglen Reformer – with the multiple calls for her resignation including statements from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford.
