'Her position is untenable' - SNP MP comes under fire for bringing coronavirus to Commons

2 October 2020, 13:29 | Updated: 2 October 2020, 13:30

"I can't see how SNP MP Margaret Ferrier can carry on"

By Sam Sholli

A former House of Commons clerk has told LBC that SNP MP Margaret Ferrier's position is "untenable", after she participated in a parliamentary debate despite having coronavirus.

Ms Ferrier said she took a test on Saturday afternoon after experiencing "mild symptoms" - at which point she should have gone into self-isolation.

However, she then travelled to London on Monday to debate the Covid-19 response in Parliament. The MP then received a positive test later that evening and travelled home by train the following day.

When asked by LBC's Nick Ferrari if she could continue in her role, former Commons clerk Eliot Wilson said: "I can't really see how she can do so, certainly with any honour but also with any credibility.

"The SNP have suspended the whip, which is all very well. But 'suspend' implies that they're waiting for the outcome. It's very clear that she's broken the regulations on a number of occasions. She can't go back and undo that.

James O'Brien calls for SNP MP Margaret Ferrier "to go"

"She's also not really able to provide an explanation of why she did it, except I suspect that she just thought it would somehow be alright. So I think her position is untenable."

On Thursday evening, the Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP apologised for breaching the rules and admitted there was "no excuse" for her actions after revealing her journey while infected with coronavirus.

The MP has apologised and been suspended by her party. Meanwhile, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has called Ms Ferrier's actions "utterly indefensible".

"Quite a staggering series of events" Ben Kentish after SNP MP admits breaking Covid rules

Asked by Nick what will be going on in the Commons as a result of what Ms Ferrier did, Mr Wilson said: "I think there will be a degree of alarm to say the least because obviously Ms Ferrier will have come into contact with not only all of the MPs who have been at Westminster this week but also all the officials.

"That's an obvious breeding ground for this kind of virus and it's an extraordinary decision that she made to come down to Westminster at the beginning of the week, I think."

The former Commons clerk also told Nick: "The idea she could have been in some ways protecting people from this is absurd. She will have been effectively trailing a virus behind her everywhere she went. That will have potentially put a great number of people at risk."

Iain Dale reacts to politicians violating Covid rules

Ms Ferrier has in the past criticised Prime Minister Boris Johnson's senior adviser Dominic Cummings for his conduct during the pandemic.

Speaking during Cabinet Office questions on 11 June, she told the Commons: "Public health experts have voiced concerns that Dominic Cummings did undermine public trust in lockdown rules, going against the principle of integrity that is in the code of conduct.

"Will the Cabinet Office conduct an investigation into potential breaches of the code of conduct by Mr Cummings, or have ministers yet again decided that they have had enough of experts?"

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Nick Ferrari reflects on his visit to Estonia

The bravery of our troops is unquestionable, but we must boost defence spending, writes Nick Ferrari

Exclusive
Keir Starmer speaks to Nick Ferrari

Starmer refuses to commit to 3% defence spend as he insists priority is 'working collectively' with Nato allies

'Our wombs are owned by Westminister': Myleene Klass hits out at government for neglecting women going through baby loss

'Our wombs are owned by Westminster': Myleene Klass hits out at government for neglecting women experiencing baby loss

Exclusive
Nick Ferrari Challenge: Can LBC’s Henry Riley recreate Daniel Khalife’s prison escape?

Nick Ferrari Challenge: Can LBC’s Henry Riley recreate Daniel Khalife’s dramatic prison escape?

Exclusive
Mandy Damari, the mother of Emily Damari - the last remaining British citizen being held hostage in Gaza - has pleaded with Sir Keir Starmer to help bring her daughter home as she looked back on the harrowing events of October 7.

'It nearly broke my heart': Mother of British hostage Emily Damari blasts Downing Street over vetoed Gaza deal

Exclusive
Jane Rubens, 73, from Edinburgh was hit by a large vehicle in early November and remains in a coma.

Insurance firm gave Brit 'less than 24 hours' to make a decision against doctors’ advice after mum suffered brain injury

Exclusive
LBC’s Nick Ferrari has remembered being spiked while at a party.

‘The whole world was spinning’: Nick Ferrari candidly recalls drink spiking as he shares 'appalling' side-effects

Exclusive
‘The storm of war is gathering’: Defence cuts leave UK critically unprepared for a 'bumpy decade', warns ex-minister

‘The storm of war is gathering’: Defence cuts leave UK 'woefully unprepared' for a 'bumpy decade', warns ex-minister

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson 'hasn't changed her mind' and will vote against assisted dying bill

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson 'hasn't changed her mind' and will vote against assisted dying bill

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Why did Trump win and why did Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters

Why did Trump win and Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters in the wake of US election results

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the United States'

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the US'

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said she strongly disagrees with a tweet that a backbench MP appeared to have reposted saying Kemi Badenoch represents "white supremacy in blackface".

Cooper condemns 'appalling' tweet shared by Dawn Butler labelling Kemi Badenoch 'white supremacy in blackface'

Exclusive
Cumberland County: Where the US election could be won or lost

Nick Ferrari travels to America for the US Election: Watch the best bits here

Exclusive
The Chancellor was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Chancellor ‘doesn’t know’ salary of new chairman tasked with ensuring government ‘value for money'

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust in the criminal justice system', says Jenrick

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust' in criminal justice system, says Jenrick