The SNP is under increased pressure to expel a disgraced MP who used public transport after receiving a positive test result for covid.
The Scottish Tories have said it is “baffling” Margaret Ferrier is still a member of the SNP.
Ferrier, elected as the SNP MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West in December, was suspended from the party after admitting travelling from London to Glasgow while infected.
She said last week she took a test on Saturday September 26th after developing coronavirus symptoms.
Instead of going into self-isolation, she travelled to Westminster by train two days later.
She received a positive result on Monday evening and travelled back to Glasgow on Tuesday morning by train, putting others at risk.
Her “reckless, dangerous” actions were condemned by the First Minister, who also called on Ferrier to quit as an MP.
However, although Ferrier has been suspended, she has not been expelled.
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: “The SNP agree Margaret Ferrier should resign – but there’s absolutely nothing stopping them expelling her from the party.
“If the SNP expect the public to keep making sacrifices, they’ve got to take action, warm words won’t cut it.
“It’s baffling that they’re still dragging their heels. Margaret Ferrier knowingly went on public transport with Covid, recklessly risking the lives of others. "
On the claim by former SNP MP George Kerevan, who said Ferrier had fallen foul of a "trial by media", Ross said:
“This is not a trial by media. It’s a trial by her own sheer stupidity and there is no doubt she’s guilty, so the SNP must expel her.”
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford reiterated his call for her to stand down as an MP:
"Margaret has to respect the fact there's been a breach of trust between her and the electorate. She has to preserve her own self-respect and dignity and do the honourable thing.
"A failure to resign on her own terms means she will face a parliamentary standards inquiry. Nobody knows where that will go but she runs the risk of having her fate being taken out of her hands."
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: “Having had the weekend to reflect on her action, Margaret Ferrier has shown she is more interested in keeping her Westminster salary and perks than she is in doing the right thing.
“The only step available to the SNP leadership now is to expel her from the party.”
