Ex-SNP MP Margaret Ferrier to stand trial over alleged Covid breach

The former Scottish National party MP Margaret Ferrier will stand trial in August accused of travelling from Glasgow to London in September 2020 knowing she had symptoms of coronavirus and wilfully exposing others to the risk of infection.

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Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA

Ferrier pleaded not guilty to the single charge on Thursday morning at Glasgow sheriff court.

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The Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP, who referred herself to the police and the parliamentary commissioner for standards , was immediately suspended from her party after the alleged rule-breaking came to light.

She has clung to her position despite vociferous and ongoing calls for her to quit, including from the first minister and SNP leader, Nicola Sturgeon.

Prosecutors allege Ferrier “culpably and recklessly” put people at risk, making several journeys after having been told to self-isolate between 26 and 29 September 2020.

The charge claims she wilfully exposed people to “the risk of infection, illness and death”, travelling throughout Glasgow and the surrounding areas as well as making journeys to and from London.

Over three days, the 61-year-old is alleged to have visited a variety of local businesses and other locations within her constituency and beyond, including Lifestyle Leisure Centre, Vanilla Salon and Sweet P Boutique in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, St Mungo’s church in Glasgow and Vic’s bar in Prestwick, Ayrshire.

The trial date was set for 15 August, with the case expected to last for four or five days, and a pre-trial hearing set for June.

The prosecutor Mark Allan told the court: “Due to the pandemic, the trial will not be fixed for a number of months. There are number of civilian witnesses with significant commitments to parliament that will require to be worked around.”