An MP who travelled by train with COVID in the early stages of the pandemic is facing a 30-day suspension from the House of Commons – raising the possibility of a by-election.
Margaret Ferrier admitted she broke COVID rules in September 2020 by travelling on a train between Scotland and London despite having tested positive for the virus.
At the time, she was required to self-isolate under the law.
The former SNP politician was kicked out of her parliamentary party but resisted pressure to resign – and now sits as an independent.
Last year she was found guilty of wilfully exposing people “to the risk of infection, illness and death” and sentenced to 270 hours of community service.
Parliament’s standards committee launched an investigation when criminal proceedings finished and today recommended she be suspended from the Commons for 30 days.
Under the rules, any suspension of 10 days or more can trigger the Recall of MPs Act which means that if 10% of an MP’s constituents sign a petition, a by-election shall be held.
However, MPs must vote to back the suspension.