Margaret Ferrier: MP who travelled cross-country with coronavirus escapes police action

Trip to Scotland made before self-isolation regulations came into force, Met says

The MP who broke coronavirus guidelines by making a cross-country trip while infected has escaped police action.

Margaret Ferrier, an SNP MP, made the journey to Scotland before the regulations legally requiring someone to self-isolate such travel came into force, the Met said.

“Therefore the regulation does not apply. As such, there will be no further action in relation to this investigation from the Metropolitan Police,” a statement said.

Ms Ferrier has faced down calls to quit politics after she was accused of bringing Covid-19 to parliament last month, putting fellow MPs and staff at risk.

She travelled the 800 miles from her Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency despite having symptoms of the virus, speaking in a Commons debate.

Then, despite testing positive, she caught the train back to Scotland – in defiance of public health guidelines, even if the regulation had yet to come into force.

Ms Ferrier provoked further criticism this week, when she cast her first Commons vote since the incident – by proxy, with the help of a disgraced Welsh nationalist MP.

In the statement, the force said: “Detectives tested the MP's account including obtaining and reviewing CCTV and undertaking inquiries to establish the dates of the tests, results and travel arrangements.

“Officers considered possible offences including those under Reg 11(2) of the Health Protection Regulations 2020 which relates to self-isolation requirement.

“However, on detailed examination of this new legislation, and following legal advice, it was concluded that this regulation is applicable only after the 28 September 2020.

“In this case, the test occurred prior to the 29 September 2020 and therefore the regulation does not apply.”

The Met said it is taking no further action but it has referred the matter to Police Scotland for consideration.

Police Scotland tweeted: “We will now assess the circumstances and consult with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service before taking a decision on next steps.”

Ms Ferrier has said she intends to stay on as an MP, despite having the whip removed by the SNP and Nicola Sturgeon calling on her to resign.

Ian Blackford, the party’s Westminster leader, has accused her of putting the Scottish independence campaign at risk by clinging on.