Met Police won’t take action against SNP’s Margaret Ferrier due to technicality after she travelled with Covid
THE Met Police won't take any action against suspended SNP MP Margaret Ferrier due to a technicality after she travelled with coronavirus.
The Scottish nationalist MP, 60, sparked fury after her 700-mile round trip between Westminster and Scotland.
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She travelled from London to Glasgow on September 29 following a positive test for Covid-19. with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon leading calls for her to quit.
But police in London said she would face no further action as self-isolation regulations didn't apply when she was tested on September 26.
Ms Ferrier is now an independent MP after having the whip removed by the SNP.
A Met Police spokesman said: "It was concluded that this regulation is applicable only after the 28th September 2020.
MP'S COVID SHAME
"In this case the test occurred prior to the 29th September 2020 and therefore the regulation does not apply.
"As such, there will be no further action in relation to this investigation from the Metropolitan Police."
New regulations from September 29 could have resulted in a £10,000 fine.
The Met has referred the incident to Police Scotland.
A Police Scotland spokesman said the force "will now assess the circumstances and consult with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service before taking a decision on next steps".
to London on Monday, September 28, despite taking a test on the Saturday due to mild symptoms including “a tickly throat”.
She gave a speech to MPs in parliament before finding out she was positive for the bug on the Monday night.
The MP returned to Glasgow by train the following day.
She told The Sun on Sunday she “panicked” after finding out she had coronavirus — and took a 350-mile train trip back to Scotland.
The politician said having the killer bug made her “act out of character” as she defended her decision.
This has been an awful experience but I'll keep fighting for my constituents because that's who I am
Margaret Ferrier
Ms Ferrier said she was stunned to find out she was infected as her “tickly throat” had disappeared by then.
She said: "This has been an awful experience but I'll keep fighting for my constituents because that's who I am.
"I love my job. I made a mistake and I've apologised. I owned up to it and apologised profusely. I have a lot of support locally saying, 'We hope you stay and do the job.'"
A spokesman for the SNP added that the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards is also still considering matters.
Ms Sturgeon has urged Ms Ferrier to "do the right thing" and resign.
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross had said the public would be furious she “might get off” and added her party must expel her.
But the defiant MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West has insisted she will not quit her £80,000-a-year job.
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Despite refusing to walk, Ms Ferrier claimed she is “contrite” over her behaviour.
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But the MP has said she felt she was “hung out to dry” by the SNP, which withdrew the whip from her an hour after she detailed her actions.
The under-fire MP visited several local businesses on the same day she took her test, according to her Twitter feed.
