Margaret Ferrier: Commons on alert after MP takes coronavirus to Westminster

A Scottish National Party MP caused a Covid alert in Westminster yesterday after travelling from her constituency to London while suffering from the virus.

Margaret Ferrier, 60, was stripped of the party whip last night after admitting breaking the law on self-isolation. She referred herself to the police and the parliamentary standards watchdog.

Ms Ferrier, the MP for Rutherglen & Hamilton West, took a coronavirus test on Saturday and then travelled to parliament on Monday while awaiting the results. She thanked NHS staff and other key workers during a debate on the virus before learning of her positive result that night. Ms Ferrier then travelled by train back to her constituency on Tuesday morning, potentially exposing many more to infection.

Failing to self-isolate immediately