Nicola Sturgeon has blasted the actions of a shamed MP who travelled back to Scotland knowing she had coronavirus as "reckless, dangerous and completely indefensible".
The First Minister described Margaret Ferrier's behaviour as "inexcusable" and a "monumental" error of judgement.
She added: "There's not one rule for us politicians and another rule for everybody else."
Ferrier, the MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, stunned the public by releasing a statement admitting she had breached covid rules.
She confessed to travelling to London on Monday despite having taking a test and, after getting a positive result, travelled back to Scotland on the train on Tuesday.
She was suspended from the party yesterday, and Sturgeon and senior SNP MPs have urged Ferrier to stand down as an MP.
At her daily briefing, Sturgeon described Ferrier as a "friend of mine" and she wished her a speedy recovery.
However, she heavily criticised her: "But none of that changes the fact that her actions were reckless, dangerous and completely indefensible. I feel very angry on behalf of all you.
"The rules apply to everyone, regardless of who you are and regardless of what your political allegiance is."
She added: "I have also spoken to her directly and made [it] crystal clear to her that I think she should now resign as an MP.
"I hope she will come to the right decision in the interests of the overall integrity of these vital public health messages."
On Ferrier's actions, Sturgeon said: "This is not a minor breach of the rules....it is a really flagrant and dangerous breach of the rules."
She continued: "Nobody can have an excuse really for that kind of breach. Travelling on a train when you know you are positive with covid right now is possibly the worst breach imaginable."
"I can't excuse this."
