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{{Use British English|date=March 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Margaret Ferrier
| name = Margaret Ferrier
| image = Margaret Ferrier 2022.jpg
| image = Margaret Ferrier 2021.jpg
| caption = Official portrait, 2021
| caption = Official portrait, 2021
| office = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Rutherglen and Hamilton West (UK Parliament constituency)|Rutherglen and Hamilton West]]
| office = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Rutherglen and Hamilton West (UK Parliament constituency)|Rutherglen and Hamilton West]]
| status =
| status =
| term_start = 12 December 2019
| term_start = 12 December 2019
| term_end = 1 August 2023
| term_end = 1 August 2023
| predecessor = [[Ged Killen]]
| predecessor = [[Ged Killen]]
| successor = Vacant ([[2023 Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election|pending by-election]])
| successor = [[Michael Shanks (politician)|Michael Shanks]]
| term_start2 = 7 May 2015
| term_start2 = 7 May 2015
| term_end2 = 3 May 2017
| term_end2 = 3 May 2017
| predecessor2 = [[Tom Greatrex]]
| predecessor2 = [[Tom Greatrex]]
| successor2 = [[Ged Killen]]
| successor2 = Ged Killen
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|9|10|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|09|10|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Glasgow]], Scotland
| birth_place = [[Glasgow]], Scotland
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| party = [[Independent politician|Independent]] (since 2020)
| party = [[Independent politician|Independent]] (since 2020)
| otherparty = [[Scottish National Party]] (2011–2020)
| otherparty = [[Scottish National Party]] (2011–2020)
| spouse =
| spouse =
| children = 1
| children = 1
| education = [[Holyrood Secondary School]]
| education = [[Holyrood Secondary School]]
}}
}}
'''Margaret Ferrier''' (born 10 September 1960) is a Scottish politician who served as [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Rutherglen and Hamilton West (UK Parliament constituency)|Rutherglen and Hamilton West]] from 2015 to 2017, and again from 2019 to 2023. She was first elected to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] at the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]] as the [[Scottish National Party]] (SNP) candidate for the constituency. She lost her seat to [[Ged Killen]] of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] at the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]] but regained it at the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 election]].
'''Margaret Ferrier''' (born 10 September 1960) is a Scottish politician who served as [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Rutherglen and Hamilton West (UK Parliament constituency)|Rutherglen and Hamilton West]] from 2015 to 2017, and again from 2019 to 2023. She was first elected to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] at the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]] as the [[Scottish National Party]] (SNP) candidate for the constituency. She lost her seat to [[Ged Killen]] of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] at the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]] but regained it at the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 election]].


On 1 October 2020, Ferrier was suspended by the SNP and had the party whip withdrawn for breaching [[COVID-19 lockdown in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 lockdown rules]]. She continued to sit as an independent MP. [[Nicola Sturgeon]], the SNP leader and first minister of Scotland, called on her to resign her parliamentary seat. She was arrested in January 2021 and charged with "culpable and reckless conduct",<ref name="auto">{{cite web |last1=Carrell |first1=Severin |title=Scottish MP Margaret Ferrier arrested over alleged Covid rule breach |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jan/04/scottish-mp-margaret-ferrier-arrested-over-alleged-covid-rule-breach |work=The Guardian |date=4 January 2021 |access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> for which she pleaded guilty and was later sentenced to community service. In 2023, she was suspended from Parliament for 30 days and [[2023 Rutherglen and Hamilton West recall petition|a recall petition was opened]], which unseated her on 1 August, triggering [[2023 Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election|a by-election]]. This was the first successful recall petition in Scotland.<ref>[https://news.sky.com/story/amp/by-election-to-be-held-after-covid-rule-breaker-mp-margaret-ferrier-loses-seat-12931637 "By-election to be held after COVID rule-breaker MP Margaret Ferrier loses seat"], by Jenness Mitchell, Sky News, 1 August 2023</ref>
In 2020, Ferrier was suspended by the SNP and had the party whip withdrawn for breaching [[COVID-19 lockdown in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 lockdown rules]]. She continued to sit as an independent MP. [[Nicola Sturgeon]], the SNP leader and first minister of Scotland, called on Ferrier to resign her parliamentary seat. She was arrested in January 2021 and charged with "culpable and reckless conduct",<ref name="auto">{{cite web |last1=Carrell |first1=Severin |title=Scottish MP Margaret Ferrier arrested over alleged Covid rule breach |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jan/04/scottish-mp-margaret-ferrier-arrested-over-alleged-covid-rule-breach |work=The Guardian |date=4 January 2021 |access-date=4 January 2021 |archive-date=8 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408035204/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jan/04/scottish-mp-margaret-ferrier-arrested-over-alleged-covid-rule-breach |url-status=live }}</ref> for which she pleaded guilty and was later sentenced to community service. In 2023, she was suspended from Parliament for 30 days and a [[recall petition]] was opened in Rutherglen and Hamilton West, which unseated her and triggered [[2023 Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election|a by-election]]. This was the first successful recall petition in Scotland under the [[Recall of MPs Act 2015]].


==Life and career==
==Life and career==
===Early life and career===
===Early life and career===
Ferrier was born on 10 September 1960<ref>{{Cite book|last=Brunskill|first=Ian|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1129682574|title=The Times guide to the House of Commons 2019: the definitive record of Britain's historic 2019 General Election|date=19 March 2020|isbn=978-0-00-839258-1|pages=318|oclc=1129682574}}</ref> and brought up in the district of [[King's Park, Glasgow|King's Park]] in [[Glasgow]], attending [[Holyrood Secondary School]].<ref name=opens>{{cite news |last=Dickie |first=Douglas |date=15 June 2015 |title=Rutherglen MP Margaret Ferrier opes up to the Reformer |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/rutherglens-new-mp-margaret-ferrier-5855903 |access-date=11 August 2017 |website=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] / [[Rutherglen Reformer]] |language=en}}</ref> After living with her family in [[Mallorca]] for two years, she moved to [[Rutherglen]] from 1972 to 1990 and then resided in [[Darnley]]. She has lived in the [[Halfway, South Lanarkshire|Halfway]] district of [[Cambuslang]] since 2000, where she joined the Rutherglen branch of the SNP in 2011 (in her youth she had been a [[Scottish Labour]] member).<ref name=opens/>
Ferrier was born on 10 September 1960<ref>{{Cite book|last=Brunskill|first=Ian|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1129682574|title=The Times guide to the House of Commons 2019: the definitive record of Britain's historic 2019 General Election|date=19 March 2020|isbn=978-0-00-839258-1|pages=318|publisher=HarperCollins Publishers Limited |oclc=1129682574|access-date=23 June 2021|archive-date=9 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109125548/https://www.worldcat.org/title/times-guide-to-the-house-of-commons-2019-the-definitive-record-of-britains-historic-2019-general-election/oclc/1129682574|url-status=live}}</ref> and brought up in the district of [[King's Park, Glasgow|King's Park]] in [[Glasgow]], attending [[Holyrood Secondary School]].<ref name=opens>{{cite news |last=Dickie |first=Douglas |date=15 June 2015 |title=Rutherglen MP Margaret Ferrier opes up to the Reformer |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/rutherglens-new-mp-margaret-ferrier-5855903 |access-date=11 August 2017 |website=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] / [[Rutherglen Reformer]] |language=en |archive-date=28 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128155745/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/rutherglens-new-mp-margaret-ferrier-5855903 |url-status=live }}</ref> After living with her family in [[Mallorca]] for two years, she moved to [[Rutherglen]] from 1972 to 1990 and then resided in [[Darnley]]. She has lived in the [[Halfway, South Lanarkshire|Halfway]] district of [[Cambuslang]] since 2000, where she joined the Rutherglen branch of the SNP in 2011 (in her youth she had been a [[Scottish Labour]] member).<ref name=opens/>


Until 2015, she was a commercial sales supervisor for Terex Equipment, a manufacturing construction company in [[Motherwell]].<ref>{{Who's Who |surname=Ferrier |othernames=Margaret |year=2022 |id=U283916 |doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U283916}}</ref><ref name="daily-record-2015-selection">{{cite news | title = SNP select Margaret Ferrier as candidate for Rutherglen and Hamilton West seat in the General Election |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/snp-select-margaret-ferrier-candidate-5106410 | newspaper = [[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] / [[Rutherglen Reformer]] | first = William | last = Henshaw | date = 5 February 2015| accessdate = 1 June 2015}}</ref>
Until 2015, she was a commercial sales supervisor for Terex Equipment, a manufacturing construction company in [[Motherwell]].<ref>{{Who's Who |title=Ferrier, Margaret |year=2022 |id=U283916 |doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U283916}}</ref><ref name="daily-record-2015-selection">{{cite news | title = SNP select Margaret Ferrier as candidate for Rutherglen and Hamilton West seat in the General Election | url = http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/snp-select-margaret-ferrier-candidate-5106410 | newspaper = [[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] / [[Rutherglen Reformer]] | first = William | last = Henshaw | date = 5 February 2015 | accessdate = 1 June 2015 | archive-date = 17 June 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220617061901/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/snp-select-margaret-ferrier-candidate-5106410 | url-status = live }}</ref>


===Political career===
===Political career===
Before her successful election to Westminster, Ferrier was previously a candidate for the Rutherglen South ward of [[South Lanarkshire Council]] in a [[2012 South Lanarkshire Council election#By-elections since 2012|2013 by-election]] (following the death of Anne Higgins). She lost the election to [[Ged Killen]] of [[Scottish Labour]].<ref name=SLC13>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/killen-wins-rutherglen-south-labour-2540587|title=Killen wins Rutherglen South for Labour |first=Douglas |last=Dickie |newspaper=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] / [[Rutherglen Reformer]] |publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]] |date=20 February 2013 |accessdate=13 June 2017}}</ref>
Before her successful election to Westminster, Ferrier was previously a candidate for the Rutherglen South ward of [[South Lanarkshire Council]] in a [[2012 South Lanarkshire Council election#By-elections since 2012|2013 by-election]] (following the death of Anne Higgins). She lost the election to [[Ged Killen]] of Scottish Labour.<ref name=SLC13>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/killen-wins-rutherglen-south-labour-2540587 |title=Killen wins Rutherglen South for Labour |first=Douglas |last=Dickie |newspaper=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] / [[Rutherglen Reformer]] |publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]] |date=20 February 2013 |accessdate=13 June 2017 |archive-date=15 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615094455/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/killen-wins-rutherglen-south-labour-2540587 |url-status=live }}</ref>


She became the [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Rutherglen and Hamilton West (UK Parliament constituency)|Rutherglen and Hamilton West]] after winning the seat at the [[2015 United Kingdom general election]];<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/S14000056 |title=Election 2015: Rutherglen & Hamilton West |website = BBC News | accessdate = 1 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/rutherglen-hamilton-west-election-results-5658514 |title=Rutherglen and Hamilton West election results: SNP's Margaret Ferrier takes Labour hotspot with 52 per cent of the vote |first=Douglas |last=Dickie |work=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] / [[Rutherglen Reformer]] |publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]] |date=8 May 2015 |accessdate=8 May 2015}}</ref> she achieved 30,279 votes, 52 per cent of the total cast and a 31-per-cent swing from the previous incumbent and their party. She was the first female MP, and the first for the SNP, to be elected in the Rutherglen/Cambuslang portion of the constituency or its predecessor constituency of [[Rutherglen (UK Parliament constituency)|Rutherglen]];<ref name=opens/> [[Winnie Ewing]] had previously served a short spell as the representative of the original constituency of [[Hamilton (UK Parliament constituency)|Hamilton]] for the SNP.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d35AAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uqMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3826%2C678157 |title=No M.P. safe except me – Mrs Ewing |work=The Glasgow Herald |date=4 November 1967 |page=1 |accessdate=11 August 2017}}</ref>
She became the [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Rutherglen and Hamilton West (UK Parliament constituency)|Rutherglen and Hamilton West]] after winning the seat at the [[2015 United Kingdom general election]];<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/S14000056 |title=Election 2015: Rutherglen & Hamilton West |website=BBC News |accessdate=1 June 2015 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108110732/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/S14000056 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/rutherglen-hamilton-west-election-results-5658514 |title=Rutherglen and Hamilton West election results: SNP's Margaret Ferrier takes Labour hotspot with 52 per cent of the vote |first=Douglas |last=Dickie |work=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] / [[Rutherglen Reformer]] |publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]] |date=8 May 2015 |accessdate=8 May 2015 |archive-date=15 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615092724/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/rutherglen-hamilton-west-election-results-5658514 |url-status=live }}</ref> she achieved 30,279 votes, 52 per cent of the total cast and a 31-per-cent swing from the previous incumbent and their party. She was the first female MP, and the first for the SNP, to be elected in the Rutherglen/Cambuslang portion of the constituency or its predecessor constituency of [[Rutherglen (UK Parliament constituency)|Rutherglen]];<ref name=opens/> [[Winnie Ewing]] had previously served a short spell as the representative of the original constituency of [[Hamilton (UK Parliament constituency)|Hamilton]] for the SNP.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d35AAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uqMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3826%2C678157 |title=No M.P. safe except me – Mrs Ewing |work=The Glasgow Herald |date=4 November 1967 |page=1 |accessdate=11 August 2017 |archive-date=29 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629081644/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d35AAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uqMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3826,678157 |url-status=live }}</ref>


Ferrier narrowly lost the seat in the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|June 2017 election]] to Killen by 265 votes.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/rutherglen-hamilton-west-election-results-5658514 |title=Labour gain first Scottish seat from SNP in election |first=Aiden |last=Kerr |publisher =[[STV Group (Scotland)|STV Group]] |date=9 June 2017 |accessdate=9 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/labour-takes-rutherglen-hamilton-west-10590345 |title=Labour takes Rutherglen and Hamilton West |first=Murray |last=Spooner |newspaper=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] / [[Rutherglen Reformer]] |publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]] |date=9 June 2017 |accessdate=9 June 2017}}</ref> She stood as a candidate in the [[2019 European Parliament election]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-48043855|title=SNP unveils its European Parliament election candidates|work=BBC News|date=24 April 2019}}</ref>
Ferrier narrowly lost the seat in the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|June 2017 election]] to Killen by 265 votes.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/rutherglen-hamilton-west-election-results-5658514 |title=Labour gain first Scottish seat from SNP in election |first=Aiden |last=Kerr |publisher=[[STV Group (Scotland)|STV Group]] |date=9 June 2017 |accessdate=9 June 2017 |archive-date=15 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615092724/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/rutherglen-hamilton-west-election-results-5658514 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/labour-takes-rutherglen-hamilton-west-10590345 |title=Labour takes Rutherglen and Hamilton West |first=Murray |last=Spooner |newspaper=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] / [[Rutherglen Reformer]] |publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]] |date=9 June 2017 |accessdate=9 June 2017 |archive-date=25 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625213746/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/labour-takes-rutherglen-hamilton-west-10590345 |url-status=live }}</ref> She stood as a candidate in the [[2019 European Parliament election]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-48043855|title=SNP unveils its European Parliament election candidates|work=BBC News|date=24 April 2019|access-date=8 March 2021|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807101550/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-48043855|url-status=live}}</ref> She was again selected as the SNP candidate for the seat in the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 general election]], where she defeated Killen on a 5-per-cent swing and gained a majority of 5,240 votes, or 9.7 per cent.<ref name="BBC-S14000056">{{cite news |title=Rutherglen & Hamilton West parliamentary constituency - Election 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/S14000056 |website=BBC News |accessdate=1 October 2020 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108110732/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/S14000056 |url-status=live }}</ref>


⚫
====Breaches of COVID-19 regulations and resignation====
She was again selected as the SNP candidate for the seat in the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 general election]], where she defeated Killen on a 5-per-cent swing and gained a majority of 5,240 votes, or 9.7 per cent.<ref name="BBC-S14000056">{{cite news |title=Rutherglen & Hamilton West parliamentary constituency - Election 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/S14000056 |website=BBC News |accessdate=1 October 2020}}</ref>
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On 1 October 2020, Ferrier made a public statement apologising for serious breaches of regulations imposed during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom]]. Five days earlier, on 26 September, she first noted symptoms of [[COVID-19]] and took a test. She visited a gym, a beauty salon and a gift shop on the same day,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/snp-mp-margaret-ferrier-who-22783922|title=SNP MP Ferrier who has Covid visited beauty salon and gym on day she took test|first=Kirsty|last=Feerick|date=2 October 2020|work=Daily Record|access-date=3 October 2020|archive-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118055544/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/snp-mp-margaret-ferrier-who-22783922|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Police investigate Margaret Ferrier as MP defies calls to step down |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/oct/02/margaret-ferrier-defies-westminster-clamour-mp-covid-scottish |first1=Libby |last1=Brooks |first2=Peter |last2=Walker |website=The Guardian |accessdate=4 October 2020 |date=2 October 2020 |archive-date=16 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116185642/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/oct/02/margaret-ferrier-defies-westminster-clamour-mp-covid-scottish |url-status=live }}</ref> and gave a reading at a church service on 27 September.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mcilkenny |first=Stephen |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18772973.margaret-ferrier-gave-church-reading-covid-symptoms/ |title=Margaret Ferrier 'gave church reading' with Covid symptoms |date=6 October 2020 |work=The Herald |access-date=11 August 2023 |archive-date=11 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811191423/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18772973.margaret-ferrier-gave-church-reading-covid-symptoms/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Ferrier took a train from Scotland to London on 28 September and spoke in a debate in the [[House of Commons]] that evening.<ref name=guardiancovid>{{Cite news |last1= Weaver |first1= Matthew |last2= Brooks |first2= Libby |title= SNP MP Margaret Ferrier suspended for taking train after positive Covid test |date= 1 October 2020 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/01/snp-mp-margaret-ferrier-took-train-after-positive-covid-test |newspaper= [[The Guardian]] |access-date= 1 October 2020 |archive-date= 14 February 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210214203301/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/01/snp-mp-margaret-ferrier-took-train-after-positive-covid-test |url-status= live }}</ref> She received a positive COVID-19 test result on the same day and returned to Scotland the next morning, again by train, having told her [[Whip (politics)|party whip]] that a family member was unwell.<ref name=guardiancovid /> Following her public statement, Ferrier was suspended from the SNP, and had the party whip withdrawn, meaning she no longer represented the SNP in Parliament but retained her seat as an independent MP.<ref>{{cite news |last= Stone |first= Jon |date= |title= Margaret Ferrier: SNP leader says MP who travelled across country with coronavirus should resign |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/margaret-ferrier-resign-coronavirus-covid-ian-blackford-mp-snp-b744640.html |work= The Independent |access-date= 20 July 2023 |archive-date= 20 July 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230720121241/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/margaret-ferrier-resign-coronavirus-covid-ian-blackford-mp-snp-b744640.html |url-status= live }}</ref> She referred herself to the police and the parliamentary standards authorities.<ref>{{cite web|title=SNP MP Margaret Ferrier suspended after knowingly travelling on 4 hour train journey with virus|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18763964.snp-mp-margaret-ferrier-suspended-knowingly-travelling-4-hour-train-journey-virus/|date=1 October 2020|website=The Herald|access-date=1 October 2020|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030140236/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18763964.snp-mp-margaret-ferrier-suspended-knowingly-travelling-4-hour-train-journey-virus/|url-status=live}}</ref>


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SNP leader and Scottish first minister [[Nicola Sturgeon]] said on 2 October that Ferrier had been guilty of the "worst breach imaginable". Sturgeon said she had told Ferrier that she should step down as an MP.<ref name="BBC-54383281">{{cite news |title=Sturgeon: Covid trip MP must 'do the right thing' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-54383281 |accessdate=2 October 2020 |work=BBC News |date=2 October 2020 |archive-date=18 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118094657/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-54383281 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Lindsay Hoyle|Sir Lindsay Hoyle]], the [[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|speaker of the House of Commons]], described her actions as "reckless".<ref>{{Cite news|date=2 October 2020|title=Commons speaker angry at 'reckless' Covid trip MP|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-54383281|access-date=2 October 2020|archive-date=19 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119003222/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-54383281|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Scotsman]]''{{'}}s Gary Flockhart criticised Ferrier for hypocrisy in calling for government advisor [[Dominic Cummings]] to resign after he [[Dominic Cummings scandal|travelled to County Durham during the national lockdown]] before being found to have broken the rules herself.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/uk-news/margaret-ferrier-mp-covid-19-rule-breaker-called-dominic-cummings-resignation-may-2990176|title=Margaret Ferrier MP: Covid-19 rule-breaker called for Dominic Cummings resignation in May|last=Flockhart|first=Gary|date=1 October 2020|work=The Scotsman|access-date=17 October 2020|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017145952/https://www.scotsman.com/news/uk-news/margaret-ferrier-mp-covid-19-rule-breaker-called-dominic-cummings-resignation-may-2990176|url-status=live}}</ref> Ferrier said that the coronavirus made her act "out of character",<ref>{{cite news |title=Margaret Ferrier: Covid MP says virus 'makes you act out of character' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-54496759 |access-date=6 September 2021 |publisher=BBC News |date=11 October 2020 |archive-date=13 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913152904/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-54496759 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Chris |title=Margaret Ferrier: MP who travelled with COVID says virus 'makes you do things out of character' |url=https://news.sky.com/story/margaret-ferrier-snp-mp-who-travelled-with-covid-says-virus-makes-you-do-things-out-of-character-12101409 |access-date=6 September 2021 |publisher=Sky News |date=11 October 2020 |archive-date=10 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410215208/https://news.sky.com/story/margaret-ferrier-snp-mp-who-travelled-with-covid-says-virus-makes-you-do-things-out-of-character-12101409 |url-status=live }}</ref> an explanation that was dismissed by Sturgeon.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wade |first1=Mike |title=Nicola Sturgeon dismisses Margaret Ferrier's 'out of character' defence |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nicola-sturgeon-dismisses-margaret-ferriers-out-of-character-defence-ndt82sp6x |access-date=6 September 2021 |work=The Times |date=11 October 2020 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=6 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906193530/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nicola-sturgeon-dismisses-margaret-ferriers-out-of-character-defence-ndt82sp6x |url-status=live }}</ref>
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====Breaches of COVID-19 regulations====


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In October 2020, Ferrier's Rutherglen constituency association announced that they had asked her to resign her seat over the scandal,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/18777891.margaret-ferrier-snp-rutherglen-association-ask-mp-resign-seat/|title=Margaret Ferrier: SNP Rutherglen association ask MP to resign her seat|last=Richards|first=Xander|date=7 October 2020|work=The National|access-date=9 October 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009070136/https://www.thenational.scot/news/18777891.margaret-ferrier-snp-rutherglen-association-ask-mp-resign-seat/|url-status=live}}</ref> which she refused.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/18785923.margaret-ferrier-will-not-resign-covid-train-scandal/|title=Margaret Ferrier will not resign after Covid train scandal|last=Sabljak|first=Ema|date=11 October 2020|work=Glasgow Times|access-date=13 September 2022|archive-date=13 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913134939/https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/18785923.margaret-ferrier-will-not-resign-covid-train-scandal/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the same month, the [[Metropolitan Police]] said they would be taking no further action on the matter.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/snp-mp-margaret-ferrier-avoids-police-action-over-covid-19-trip-3004644|title=SNP MP Margaret Ferrier avoids police action over Covid-19 trip|last=Monteith|first=Brian|date=15 October 2020|work=The Scotsman|access-date=17 October 2020|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017202901/https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/snp-mp-margaret-ferrier-avoids-police-action-over-covid-19-trip-3004644|url-status=live}}</ref>
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On 1 October 2020, Ferrier made a public statement apologising for serious breaches of [[COVID-19]] regulations. Five days earlier, she first noted symptoms of COVID-19 and took a test, then visited a gym, beauty salon and a gift shop.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/snp-mp-margaret-ferrier-who-22783922|title=SNP MP Ferrier who has Covid visited beauty salon and gym on day she took test|first=Kirsty|last=Feerick|date=2 October 2020|work=Daily Record}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Police investigate Margaret Ferrier as MP defies calls to step down |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/oct/02/margaret-ferrier-defies-westminster-clamour-mp-covid-scottish |first1=Libby |last1=Brooks |first2=Peter |last2=Walker |website=The Guardian |accessdate=4 October 2020 |date=2 October 2020}}</ref> Ferrier took a train from Scotland to London, on 28 September and while waiting for results she spoke in a parliamentary debate that evening.<ref name=guardiancovid>{{Cite news |last1= Weaver |first1= Matthew |last2= Brooks |first2= Libby |title= SNP MP Margaret Ferrier suspended for taking train after positive Covid test |date= 1 October 2020 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/01/snp-mp-margaret-ferrier-took-train-after-positive-covid-test |newspaper= [[The Guardian]] |access-date= 1 October 2020 }}</ref> She received a positive test result that evening and returned to Scotland the next morning, again by train, having told her [[Whip (politics)|party whip]] that a family member was unwell.<ref name=guardiancovid /> Following her public statement, Ferrier was suspended from the SNP, and had the party whip withdrawn, meaning she no longer represented the SNP in Parliament but retained the seat as an independent MP.<ref>{{cite news |last= Stone |first= Jon |date= |title= Margaret Ferrier: SNP leader says MP who travelled across country with coronavirus should resign |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/margaret-ferrier-resign-coronavirus-covid-ian-blackford-mp-snp-b744640.html |work= The Independent |access-date= 20 July 2023}}</ref> She referred herself to the police and the Parliamentary standards authorities.<ref>{{cite web|title=SNP MP Margaret Ferrier suspended after knowingly travelling on 4 hour train journey with virus|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18763964.snp-mp-margaret-ferrier-suspended-knowingly-travelling-4-hour-train-journey-virus/|date=1 October 2020|website=The Herald|access-date=1 October 2020}}</ref>


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On 12 November 2020, Ferrier made her first appearance in the Commons since breaching COVID-19 regulations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/margaret-ferrier-makes-first-commons-appearance-positive-covid-journey-3033554|title=Margaret Ferrier makes first Commons appearance since positive Covid journey|first=Alexander|last=Brown|date=12 November 2020|work=The Scotsman|access-date=12 November 2020|language=en|archive-date=13 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113071154/https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/margaret-ferrier-makes-first-commons-appearance-positive-covid-journey-3033554|url-status=live}}</ref> In view of the circumstances, [[Richard Leonard]], the leader of Scottish Labour, described the appearance as "a gross insult to her constituents".<ref>{{cite news |last=Sanderson |first=Daniel |date=12 November 2020 |title=Disgraced MP who flouted Covid rules 'shows brass neck' with Commons return |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/11/12/disgraced-mp-flouted-covid-rules-shows-brass-neck-commons-return/ |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=12 November 2020 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=13 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113065120/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/11/12/disgraced-mp-flouted-covid-rules-shows-brass-neck-commons-return/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He accused her of gross selfishness and started a petition for her resignation from parliament.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18776237.labours-richard-leonard-launches-petition-margaret-ferriers-resignation/|title=Labour's Richard Leonard launches petition for Margaret Ferrier's resignation|last=Rodger|first=Hannah|date=7 October 2020|work=The Herald|access-date=6 January 2022|archive-date=6 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106181903/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18776237.labours-richard-leonard-launches-petition-margaret-ferriers-resignation/|url-status=live}}</ref>
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SNP leader and Scottish first minister [[Nicola Sturgeon]] said on 2 October that Ferrier had been guilty of the "worst breach imaginable". Sturgeon said she had told Ferrier that she should step down as an MP.<ref name="BBC-54383281">{{cite news |title=Sturgeon: Covid trip MP must 'do the right thing' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-54383281 |accessdate=2 October 2020 |work=BBC News |date=2 October 2020}}</ref> [[Lindsay Hoyle|Sir Lindsay Hoyle]], the [[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|speaker of the House of Commons]], described her actions as "reckless".<ref>{{Cite news|date=2 October 2020|title=Commons speaker angry at 'reckless' Covid trip MP|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-54383281|access-date=2 October 2020}}</ref> ''[[The Scotsman]]''{{'}}s Gary Flockhart criticised Ferrier for hypocrisy in calling for government advisor [[Dominic Cummings]] to resign after he [[Dominic Cummings scandal|travelled to County Durham during the national lockdown]] before being found to have broken the rules herself.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/uk-news/margaret-ferrier-mp-covid-19-rule-breaker-called-dominic-cummings-resignation-may-2990176|title=Margaret Ferrier MP: Covid-19 rule-breaker called for Dominic Cummings resignation in May|last=Flockhart|first=Gary|date=1 October 2020|work=The Scotsman}}</ref> Ferrier said that the coronavirus made her act "out of character",<ref>{{cite news |title=Margaret Ferrier: Covid MP says virus 'makes you act out of character' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-54496759 |access-date=6 September 2021 |publisher=BBC News |date=11 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Chris |title=Margaret Ferrier: MP who travelled with COVID says virus 'makes you do things out of character' |url=https://news.sky.com/story/margaret-ferrier-snp-mp-who-travelled-with-covid-says-virus-makes-you-do-things-out-of-character-12101409 |access-date=6 September 2021 |publisher=Sky News |date=11 October 2020}}</ref> an explanation that was dismissed by Sturgeon.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wade |first1=Mike |title=Nicola Sturgeon dismisses Margaret Ferrier's 'out of character' defence |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nicola-sturgeon-dismisses-margaret-ferriers-out-of-character-defence-ndt82sp6x |access-date=6 September 2021 |work=The Times |date=11 October 2020 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>


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On 4 January 2021, Ferrier was arrested and charged by [[Police Scotland]]<ref>{{cite news|title=MP Margaret Ferrier arrested by police over breach of Covid rules|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18985985.margaret-ferrier-arrested-police-breach-covid-rules/|last=Hutchison|first=Caitlin|date=4 January 2021|work=The Herald|access-date=4 January 2021|language=en|archive-date=4 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104181936/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18985985.margaret-ferrier-arrested-police-breach-covid-rules/|url-status=live}}</ref> with "culpable and reckless conduct".<ref name="auto"/> On 3 February 2021 she appeared at [[Glasgow Sheriff Court]]; no plea or declaration was made and she was given bail.<ref>{{cite web |title=MP Margaret Ferrier appears in court accused of Covid rule breach |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-55924053 |website=BBC News |access-date=3 February 2021 |date=3 February 2021 |archive-date=3 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203155055/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-55924053 |url-status=live }}</ref> She pleaded guilty to the charge on 18 August 2022,<ref>{{cite news |title=MP Margaret Ferrier pleads guilty to exposing public to Covid |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-62589375 |access-date=18 August 2022 |work=BBC News |date=18 August 2022 |archive-date=18 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818094510/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-62589375 |url-status=live }}</ref> and on 13 September was sentenced to 270 hours of [[community service]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/margaret-ferrier-mp-sentenced-covid-rules-broken-scotland-b1025191.html|title=Margaret Ferrier: MP who took train while she had Covid given 270-hour community service order|first=Lucinda|last=Cameron|date=13 September 2022|website=Evening Standard|accessdate=13 September 2022|archive-date=19 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119204608/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/margaret-ferrier-mp-sentenced-covid-rules-broken-scotland-b1025191.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
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In October 2020, Ferrier's Rutherglen constituency association announced that they had asked her to resign her seat over the scandal,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/18777891.margaret-ferrier-snp-rutherglen-association-ask-mp-resign-seat/|title=Margaret Ferrier: SNP Rutherglen association ask MP to resign her seat|last=Richards|first=Xander|date=7 October 2020|work=The National}}</ref> which she refused.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/18785923.margaret-ferrier-will-not-resign-covid-train-scandal/|title=Margaret Ferrier will not resign after Covid train scandal|last=Sabljak|first=Ema|date=11 October 2020|work=Glasgow Times}}</ref> In the same month, the [[Metropolitan Police]] said they would be taking no further action on the matter.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/snp-mp-margaret-ferrier-avoids-police-action-over-covid-19-trip-3004644|title=SNP MP Margaret Ferrier avoids police action over Covid-19 trip|last=Monteith|first=Brian|date=15 October 2020|work=The Scotsman}}</ref>


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On 30 March 2023, the [[Commons Select Committee on Standards]] recommended that she be suspended from Parliament for 30 days.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-65123054 |title=Margaret Ferrier: Probe says MP should be suspended for Covid breach |work=BBC News |date=2023-03-30 |accessdate=2023-03-30 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330084155/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-65123054 |url-status=live }}</ref> She lost her subsequent appeal on the recommendation, which was upheld on 22 May 2023<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65671806 |title=Margaret Ferrier: Covid train trip MP loses appeal over Commons ban |work=BBC News |date=2023-05-22 |accessdate=2023-05-22 |archive-date=22 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522105505/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65671806 |url-status=live }}</ref> with the independent panel finding that she "acted with blatant and deliberate dishonest intent. She acted with a high degree of recklessness to the public and to colleagues and staff at the House of Commons. She acted selfishly, putting her own interests above the public interest."<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 May 2023 |title=Appeal by Margaret Ferrier MP |url=https://www.parliament.uk/globalassets/mps-lords--offices/standards-and-financial-interests/independent-expert-panel/hc-1400---appeal-by-margaret-ferrier-mp.pdf |website=UK Parliament |publisher=Independent Expert Panel |access-date=22 May 2023 |archive-date=22 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522113707/https://www.parliament.uk/globalassets/mps-lords--offices/standards-and-financial-interests/independent-expert-panel/hc-1400---appeal-by-margaret-ferrier-mp.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The House of Commons voted to suspend Ferrier for 30 days, which led to a recall petition in Rutherglen and Hamilton West. The result of the petition was declared on 1 August; almost 15 per cent of eligible constituents had signed, unseating Ferrier and triggering [[2023 Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election|a by-election in the constituency]]. Ferrier confirmed that she would not seek re-election.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-66376464 |title=Margaret Ferrier: By-election triggered as Covid breach MP unseated |work=BBC News |date=2023-08-01 |accessdate=2023-08-01 |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801162120/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-66376464 |url-status=live }}</ref> The by-election, held on 5 October, was won by [[Michael Shanks (politician)|Michael Shanks]] of the Labour Party.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-67024848 |title=Labour defeats SNP to win Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election |last1=Bonar |first1=Megan |last2=Scott |first2=Katy |date=6 October 2023 |work=BBC News |access-date=6 October 2023 |archive-date=6 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006171735/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-67024848 |url-status=live }}</ref>
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On 12 November 2020, Ferrier made her first appearance in the Commons since breaching COVID-19 regulations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/margaret-ferrier-makes-first-commons-appearance-positive-covid-journey-3033554|title=Margaret Ferrier makes first Commons appearance since positive Covid journey|first=Alexander|last=Brown|date=12 November 2020|work=The Scotsman|access-date=12 November 2020|language=en}}</ref> In view of the circumstances, [[Richard Leonard]], the leader of Scottish Labour, described the appearance as "a gross insult to her constituents".<ref>{{cite news |last=Sanderson |first=Daniel |date=12 November 2020 |title=Disgraced MP who flouted Covid rules 'shows brass neck' with Commons return |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/11/12/disgraced-mp-flouted-covid-rules-shows-brass-neck-commons-return/ |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=12 November 2020 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> He accused her of gross selfishness and started a petition for her resignation from parliament.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18776237.labours-richard-leonard-launches-petition-margaret-ferriers-resignation/|title=Labour's Richard Leonard launches petition for Margaret Ferrier's resignation|last=Rodger|first=Hannah|date=7 October 2020|work=The Herald}}</ref>

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On 4 January 2021, Ferrier was arrested and charged by [[Police Scotland]]<ref>{{cite news|title=MP Margaret Ferrier arrested by police over breach of Covid rules|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18985985.margaret-ferrier-arrested-police-breach-covid-rules/|last=Hutchison|first=Caitlin|date=4 January 2021|work=The Herald|access-date=4 January 2021|language=en}}</ref> with "culpable and reckless conduct".<ref name="auto"/> On 3 February 2021 she appeared at [[Glasgow Sheriff Court]]; no plea or declaration was made and she was given bail.<ref>{{cite web |title=MP Margaret Ferrier appears in court accused of Covid rule breach |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-55924053 |website=BBC News |access-date=3 February 2021 |date=3 February 2021}}</ref> She pleaded guilty to the charge on 18 August 2022,<ref>{{cite news |title=MP Margaret Ferrier pleads guilty to exposing public to Covid |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-62589375 |access-date=18 August 2022 |work=BBC News |date=18 August 2022}}</ref> and on 13 September was sentenced to 270 hours of [[community service]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/margaret-ferrier-mp-sentenced-covid-rules-broken-scotland-b1025191.html|title=Margaret Ferrier: MP who took train while she had Covid given 270-hour community service order|first=Lucinda|last=Cameron|date=13 September 2022|website=Evening Standard|accessdate=13 September 2022}}</ref>

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On 30 March 2023, the [[Commons Select Committee on Standards]] recommended that she be suspended from Parliament for 30 days.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-65123054 |title=Margaret Ferrier: Probe says MP should be suspended for Covid breach |publisher=BBC News |date=2023-03-30 |accessdate=2023-03-30}}</ref> She lost her subsequent appeal on the recommendation, which was upheld on 22 May 2023<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65671806 |title=Margaret Ferrier: Covid train trip MP loses appeal over Commons ban |publisher=BBC News |date=2023-05-22 |accessdate=2023-05-22}}</ref> with the independent panel finding that she "acted with blatant and deliberate dishonest intent. She acted with a high degree of recklessness to the public and to colleagues and staff at the House of Commons. She acted selfishly, putting her own interests above the public interest."<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 May 2023 |title=Appeal by Margaret Ferrier MP |url=https://www.parliament.uk/globalassets/mps-lords--offices/standards-and-financial-interests/independent-expert-panel/hc-1400---appeal-by-margaret-ferrier-mp.pdf}}</ref> The House of Commons voted to suspend Ferrier for 30 days, which led to a recall petition in Rutherglen and Hamilton West. The result of the petition was declared on 1 August; almost 15 per cent of eligible constituents had signed, unseating Ferrier and triggering [[2023 Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election|a by-election in the constituency]]. Ferrier confirmed that she would not seek re-election.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-66376464 |title=Margaret Ferrier: By-election triggered as Covid breach MP unseated| publisher=BBC News |date=2023-08-01 |accessdate=2023-08-01}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Ferrier lives in [[Halfway, South Lanarkshire]], with her daughter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/person/5918/margaret-ferrier|title=Margaret Ferrier for Rutherglen and Hamilton West in the UK Parliament elections|website=Who Can I Vote For? by Democracy Club}}</ref>
Ferrier lives in [[Halfway, South Lanarkshire]], with her daughter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/person/5918/margaret-ferrier|title=Margaret Ferrier for Rutherglen and Hamilton West in the UK Parliament elections|website=Who Can I Vote For? by Democracy Club|access-date=8 October 2020|archive-date=2 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502054920/https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/person/5918/margaret-ferrier|url-status=live}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Rutherglen and Hamilton West (UK Parliament constituency)|Rutherglen and Hamilton West]]|years=2019–2023}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br />for Rutherglen and Hamilton West|years=2019–2023}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Michael Shanks (politician)|Michael Shanks]]}}
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[[Category:Politicians from Glasgow]]
[[Category:Politicians from Glasgow]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2015–2017]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2015–2017]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2019–present]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2019–2024]]
[[Category:COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland]]
[[Category:COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland]]
[[Category:Independent members of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Independent members of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom]]

Revision as of 17:16, 5 July 2024

Margaret Ferrier
Official portrait, 2021
Member of Parliament
for Rutherglen and Hamilton West
In office
12 December 2019 – 1 August 2023
Preceded byGed Killen
Succeeded byMichael Shanks
In office
7 May 2015 – 3 May 2017
Preceded byTom Greatrex
Succeeded byGed Killen
Personal details
Born (1960-09-10) 10 September 1960 (age 64)
Glasgow, Scotland
Political partyIndependent (since 2020)
Other political
affiliations		Scottish National Party (2011–2020)
Children1
EducationHolyrood Secondary School

Margaret Ferrier (born 10 September 1960) is a Scottish politician who served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Rutherglen and Hamilton West from 2015 to 2017, and again from 2019 to 2023. She was first elected to the House of Commons at the 2015 general election as the Scottish National Party (SNP) candidate for the constituency. She lost her seat to Ged Killen of the Labour Party at the 2017 general election but regained it at the 2019 election.

In 2020, Ferrier was suspended by the SNP and had the party whip withdrawn for breaching COVID-19 lockdown rules. She continued to sit as an independent MP. Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader and first minister of Scotland, called on Ferrier to resign her parliamentary seat. She was arrested in January 2021 and charged with "culpable and reckless conduct",[1] for which she pleaded guilty and was later sentenced to community service. In 2023, she was suspended from Parliament for 30 days and a recall petition was opened in Rutherglen and Hamilton West, which unseated her and triggered a by-election. This was the first successful recall petition in Scotland under the Recall of MPs Act 2015.

Life and career

Early life and career

Ferrier was born on 10 September 1960[2] and brought up in the district of King's Park in Glasgow, attending Holyrood Secondary School.[3] After living with her family in Mallorca for two years, she moved to Rutherglen from 1972 to 1990 and then resided in Darnley. She has lived in the Halfway district of Cambuslang since 2000, where she joined the Rutherglen branch of the SNP in 2011 (in her youth she had been a Scottish Labour member).[3]

Until 2015, she was a commercial sales supervisor for Terex Equipment, a manufacturing construction company in Motherwell.[4][5]

Political career

Before her successful election to Westminster, Ferrier was previously a candidate for the Rutherglen South ward of South Lanarkshire Council in a 2013 by-election (following the death of Anne Higgins). She lost the election to Ged Killen of Scottish Labour.[6]

She became the member of Parliament (MP) for Rutherglen and Hamilton West after winning the seat at the 2015 United Kingdom general election;[7][8] she achieved 30,279 votes, 52 per cent of the total cast and a 31-per-cent swing from the previous incumbent and their party. She was the first female MP, and the first for the SNP, to be elected in the Rutherglen/Cambuslang portion of the constituency or its predecessor constituency of Rutherglen;[3] Winnie Ewing had previously served a short spell as the representative of the original constituency of Hamilton for the SNP.[9]

Ferrier narrowly lost the seat in the June 2017 election to Killen by 265 votes.[10][11] She stood as a candidate in the 2019 European Parliament election.[12] She was again selected as the SNP candidate for the seat in the 2019 general election, where she defeated Killen on a 5-per-cent swing and gained a majority of 5,240 votes, or 9.7 per cent.[13]

Breaches of COVID-19 regulations and resignation

On 1 October 2020, Ferrier made a public statement apologising for serious breaches of regulations imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Five days earlier, on 26 September, she first noted symptoms of COVID-19 and took a test. She visited a gym, a beauty salon and a gift shop on the same day,[14][15] and gave a reading at a church service on 27 September.[16] Ferrier took a train from Scotland to London on 28 September and spoke in a debate in the House of Commons that evening.[17] She received a positive COVID-19 test result on the same day and returned to Scotland the next morning, again by train, having told her party whip that a family member was unwell.[17] Following her public statement, Ferrier was suspended from the SNP, and had the party whip withdrawn, meaning she no longer represented the SNP in Parliament but retained her seat as an independent MP.[18] She referred herself to the police and the parliamentary standards authorities.[19]

SNP leader and Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon said on 2 October that Ferrier had been guilty of the "worst breach imaginable". Sturgeon said she had told Ferrier that she should step down as an MP.[20] Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker of the House of Commons, described her actions as "reckless".[21] The Scotsman's Gary Flockhart criticised Ferrier for hypocrisy in calling for government advisor Dominic Cummings to resign after he travelled to County Durham during the national lockdown before being found to have broken the rules herself.[22] Ferrier said that the coronavirus made her act "out of character",[23][24] an explanation that was dismissed by Sturgeon.[25]

In October 2020, Ferrier's Rutherglen constituency association announced that they had asked her to resign her seat over the scandal,[26] which she refused.[27] In the same month, the Metropolitan Police said they would be taking no further action on the matter.[28]

On 12 November 2020, Ferrier made her first appearance in the Commons since breaching COVID-19 regulations.[29] In view of the circumstances, Richard Leonard, the leader of Scottish Labour, described the appearance as "a gross insult to her constituents".[30] He accused her of gross selfishness and started a petition for her resignation from parliament.[31]

On 4 January 2021, Ferrier was arrested and charged by Police Scotland[32] with "culpable and reckless conduct".[1] On 3 February 2021 she appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court; no plea or declaration was made and she was given bail.[33] She pleaded guilty to the charge on 18 August 2022,[34] and on 13 September was sentenced to 270 hours of community service.[35]

On 30 March 2023, the Commons Select Committee on Standards recommended that she be suspended from Parliament for 30 days.[36] She lost her subsequent appeal on the recommendation, which was upheld on 22 May 2023[37] with the independent panel finding that she "acted with blatant and deliberate dishonest intent. She acted with a high degree of recklessness to the public and to colleagues and staff at the House of Commons. She acted selfishly, putting her own interests above the public interest."[38] The House of Commons voted to suspend Ferrier for 30 days, which led to a recall petition in Rutherglen and Hamilton West. The result of the petition was declared on 1 August; almost 15 per cent of eligible constituents had signed, unseating Ferrier and triggering a by-election in the constituency. Ferrier confirmed that she would not seek re-election.[39] The by-election, held on 5 October, was won by Michael Shanks of the Labour Party.[40]

Personal life

Ferrier lives in Halfway, South Lanarkshire, with her daughter.[41]

References

  1. ^ a b Carrell, Severin (4 January 2021). "Scottish MP Margaret Ferrier arrested over alleged Covid rule breach". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  2. ^ Brunskill, Ian (19 March 2020). The Times guide to the House of Commons 2019: the definitive record of Britain's historic 2019 General Election. HarperCollins Publishers Limited. p. 318. ISBN 978-0-00-839258-1. OCLC 1129682574. Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Dickie, Douglas (15 June 2015). "Rutherglen MP Margaret Ferrier opes up to the Reformer". Daily Record / Rutherglen Reformer. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  4. ^ "Ferrier, Margaret". Who's Who. A & C Black. 2022. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U283916. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  5. ^ Henshaw, William (5 February 2015). "SNP select Margaret Ferrier as candidate for Rutherglen and Hamilton West seat in the General Election". Daily Record / Rutherglen Reformer. Archived from the original on 17 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  6. ^ Dickie, Douglas (20 February 2013). "Killen wins Rutherglen South for Labour". Daily Record / Rutherglen Reformer. Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  7. ^ "Election 2015: Rutherglen & Hamilton West". BBC News. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  8. ^ Dickie, Douglas (8 May 2015). "Rutherglen and Hamilton West election results: SNP's Margaret Ferrier takes Labour hotspot with 52 per cent of the vote". Daily Record / Rutherglen Reformer. Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  9. ^ "No M.P. safe except me – Mrs Ewing". The Glasgow Herald. 4 November 1967. p. 1. Archived from the original on 29 June 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  10. ^ Kerr, Aiden (9 June 2017). "Labour gain first Scottish seat from SNP in election". STV Group. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  11. ^ Spooner, Murray (9 June 2017). "Labour takes Rutherglen and Hamilton West". Daily Record / Rutherglen Reformer. Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  12. ^ "SNP unveils its European Parliament election candidates". BBC News. 24 April 2019. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  13. ^ "Rutherglen & Hamilton West parliamentary constituency - Election 2019". BBC News. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  14. ^ Feerick, Kirsty (2 October 2020). "SNP MP Ferrier who has Covid visited beauty salon and gym on day she took test". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  15. ^ Brooks, Libby; Walker, Peter (2 October 2020). "Police investigate Margaret Ferrier as MP defies calls to step down". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  16. ^ Mcilkenny, Stephen (6 October 2020). "Margaret Ferrier 'gave church reading' with Covid symptoms". The Herald. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  17. ^ a b Weaver, Matthew; Brooks, Libby (1 October 2020). "SNP MP Margaret Ferrier suspended for taking train after positive Covid test". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  18. ^ Stone, Jon. "Margaret Ferrier: SNP leader says MP who travelled across country with coronavirus should resign". The Independent. Archived from the original on 20 July 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  19. ^ "SNP MP Margaret Ferrier suspended after knowingly travelling on 4 hour train journey with virus". The Herald. 1 October 2020. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  20. ^ "Sturgeon: Covid trip MP must 'do the right thing'". BBC News. 2 October 2020. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  21. ^ "Commons speaker angry at 'reckless' Covid trip MP". BBC News. 2 October 2020. Archived from the original on 19 November 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  22. ^ Flockhart, Gary (1 October 2020). "Margaret Ferrier MP: Covid-19 rule-breaker called for Dominic Cummings resignation in May". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  23. ^ "Margaret Ferrier: Covid MP says virus 'makes you act out of character'". BBC News. 11 October 2020. Archived from the original on 13 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  24. ^ Robertson, Chris (11 October 2020). "Margaret Ferrier: MP who travelled with COVID says virus 'makes you do things out of character'". Sky News. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  25. ^ Wade, Mike (11 October 2020). "Nicola Sturgeon dismisses Margaret Ferrier's 'out of character' defence". The Times. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  26. ^ Richards, Xander (7 October 2020). "Margaret Ferrier: SNP Rutherglen association ask MP to resign her seat". The National. Archived from the original on 9 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  27. ^ Sabljak, Ema (11 October 2020). "Margaret Ferrier will not resign after Covid train scandal". Glasgow Times. Archived from the original on 13 September 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  28. ^ Monteith, Brian (15 October 2020). "SNP MP Margaret Ferrier avoids police action over Covid-19 trip". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  29. ^ Brown, Alexander (12 November 2020). "Margaret Ferrier makes first Commons appearance since positive Covid journey". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  30. ^ Sanderson, Daniel (12 November 2020). "Disgraced MP who flouted Covid rules 'shows brass neck' with Commons return". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  31. ^ Rodger, Hannah (7 October 2020). "Labour's Richard Leonard launches petition for Margaret Ferrier's resignation". The Herald. Archived from the original on 6 January 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  32. ^ Hutchison, Caitlin (4 January 2021). "MP Margaret Ferrier arrested by police over breach of Covid rules". The Herald. Archived from the original on 4 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  33. ^ "MP Margaret Ferrier appears in court accused of Covid rule breach". BBC News. 3 February 2021. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  34. ^ "MP Margaret Ferrier pleads guilty to exposing public to Covid". BBC News. 18 August 2022. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  35. ^ Cameron, Lucinda (13 September 2022). "Margaret Ferrier: MP who took train while she had Covid given 270-hour community service order". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 19 November 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  36. ^ "Margaret Ferrier: Probe says MP should be suspended for Covid breach". BBC News. 30 March 2023. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  37. ^ "Margaret Ferrier: Covid train trip MP loses appeal over Commons ban". BBC News. 22 May 2023. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  38. ^ "Appeal by Margaret Ferrier MP" (PDF). UK Parliament. Independent Expert Panel. 22 May 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  39. ^ "Margaret Ferrier: By-election triggered as Covid breach MP unseated". BBC News. 1 August 2023. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  40. ^ Bonar, Megan; Scott, Katy (6 October 2023). "Labour defeats SNP to win Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election". BBC News. Archived from the original on 6 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  41. ^ "Margaret Ferrier for Rutherglen and Hamilton West in the UK Parliament elections". Who Can I Vote For? by Democracy Club. Archived from the original on 2 May 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Rutherglen and Hamilton West
2015–2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Ged Killen
 Member of Parliament
for Rutherglen and Hamilton West
2019–2023 		Succeeded by
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