MP who got on train to London despite knowing she had Covid pleads guilty

An MP who travelled on a train from London to Scotland despite knowing she had Covid has pleased guilty to putting others at risk.

Margaret Ferrier admitted exposing people “to the risk of infection, illness and death” by visiting various places around Glasgow and London having been told to self-isolate in late September 2020.

She developed symptoms and took a test for the virus in Scotland, but ignored rules to isolate while awaiting the results – instead getting on a train to London and taking part in a debate in the House of Commons.

After testing positive for the virus, she returned to Scotland from London “without seeking advice.”

Ferrier, an independent MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, had the SNP whip removed in 2020 after the allegations emerged and has come under pressure to resign from her seat, but remains an MP.

In a statement at the time, she said there was “no excuse” for her actions.

But she said in an interview with the Sun on Sunday shortly after it came to light “This has been an awful experience but I’ll keep fighting for my constituents because that’s who I am.”

She added that she has received support locally in the wake of the incident and has “owned up and apologised profusely”.

Ms Ferrier revealed to the paper her reasoning for travelling to Westminster after taking a Covid-19 test was “wanting to represent her constituents” and take part in a parliamentary debate – something which could not be done virtually.

She also spoke out about the level of criticism she has received over the incident, adding: “You feel you are getting a lot of criticism from people you thought were your colleagues or friends who’d understand it was an error of judgement. I’m not denying that.

“People may be saying, ‘You should have known better, you’re a public figure’. But at the end of the day it still hurts. You then think about all that hard work and dedication – is that just wiped away?”