Margaret Ferrier: Nicola Sturgeon brands Covid-positive MP's parliament trip indefensible as she is suspended by SNP

Nicola Sturgeon has said Margaret Ferrier’s actions are “utterly indefensible” after the SNP MP admitted breaking lockdown rules.

On Thursday, Ms Ferrier apologised for travelling to London to debate the coronavirus response in Parliament after experiencing Covid-19 symptoms before testing positive and returning to Scotland.

The SNP suspended the MP after she acknowledged that “there is no excuse for my actions” and said she had reported herself to police after revealing her journey while positive with the virus.

Ms Ferrier 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.

“This was wrong, and I am very sorry for my mistake,” the MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West said.

Scottish First Minister and SNP leader took to social media on Thursday evening to condemn the actions of Ms Ferrier, amid calls for her to resign.

“It’s hard to express just how angry I feel on behalf of people across the country making hard sacrifices every day to help beat COVID,” Ms Sturgeon tweeted.

The Commons said that the MP did not inform her party whip until Wednesday afternoon and that one person has been identified as a close contact and told to self-isolate.

SNP MP Margaret Ferrier in the House of Commons on Monday during a debate on the coronavirus response.

Earlier on Thursday, Labour’s shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray had said Ms 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,” he added.

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