'She has to go': Politicians react to SNP MP Margaret Ferrier's Covid-19 case

Labour's shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray has led a chorus of reaction around Margaret Ferrier’s positive Covid-19 case, saying the SNP MP had acted with "astonishing recklessness".

Rutherglen and Hamilton West SNP MP Margaret Ferrier

And former Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson led calls for Ms Ferrier’s resignation, tweeting: “This Margaret Ferrier case is different - knowingly taking public transport after testing positive for Covid-19 is to put lives at risk. She has to go.”

Ms Ferrier acknowledged "there is no excuse for my actions" after revealing her journey while positive with the virus.

The MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West has apologised for travelling to London to debate the coronavirus response in Parliament after experiencing Covid-19 symptoms before testing positive and returning to Scotland.

She said she took a test on Saturday afternoon after experiencing "mild symptoms", meaning she should have self-isolated, before travelling by train to London on Monday.

Mr Murray said: "This is astonishing recklessness from an SNP MP, which has put people's health at risk.

"Through her irresponsible actions, she very possibly has passed on the virus to a vulnerable person, who may now have Covid-19 and be in danger.

"She has put passengers, rail staff, fellow MPs, Commons staff and many others at unacceptable risk.

"To breach the rules twice is simply unforgivable, and has undermined all the sacrifices made by her constituents.

"Nicola Sturgeon must come out and condemn her MP's actions and tell the Scottish people what disciplinary action she will be taking. There cannot be one rule for Margaret Ferrier, another for everybody else."

Monica Lennon, a Labour MSP for the same region Ms Ferrier represents, tweeted: "Margaret Ferrier is my MP. I'm sorry she has Covid-19 and wish her good health.

"Like other constituents, I'm shocked that she put the health of colleagues, rail staff and the public at risk.

"If you have symptoms and need a test, follow the rules and self-isolate immediately."

Former Glasgow Labour MP Paul Sweeney said: “An MP travelling to London by train while awaiting a Covid test result is obviously a stupid thing to do.

“To then travel back to Glasgow by train after receiving a positive result is grossly negligent.

“Ms Ferrier should heed the advice she offered to Mr Cummings, and resign.

Scottish Labour Candidate for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn Kieran O’Neill said: “I worked for the last Labour MP for Rutherglen & Hamilton West, so there's no denying I am biased but I know Margaret Ferrier is a decent woman.

"I hope she gets well soon but if she has any idea how wrong her actions were then the only thing she should be doing now is resigning.”