Scottish MP Margaret Ferrier who took train while she had Covid-19 given community payback order

Margaret Ferrier faced renewed calls to stand down from the Commons following her guilty plea. Credit: PA

Margaret Ferrier, a Scottish MP who admitted putting people at risk by travelling on a train from London to Scotland knowing she had Covid, has been ordered to complete a 270-hour community payback order.

The MP travelled in and around Glasgow and to London in September 2020 after taking a test for the virus. While awaiting the results, the independent MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West spoke in the Houses of Parliament and visited elsewhere in London.

A court heard she then took the train home to Glasgow after being told she had tested positive for Covid-19.

Ms Ferrier, 62, admitted she had culpably and recklessly exposed the public “to the risk of infection, illness and death” at a hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court last month.

Nicola Sturgeon with Ms Ferrier, then SNP candidate for Rutherglen, during her visit to Glasgow while on the General Election campaign. Credit: PA

She was sentenced at the court on Tuesday. Sheriff Principal Craig Turnbull told the MP: “The public rightly expect the people elected to represent them to set an example. “You wilfully ignored the rules and did not isolate. Having tested positive you wilfully disregarded guidance and travelled by train.” He continued: “It cannot be overlooked that your behaviour took place at a time of significant restrictions and before the vaccination programme had begun.”

Lawyer Brian McConnachie KC said Ms Ferrier had continued as normal following her Covid test on September 26 because she was sure it would be negative, as she felt better the next day.

He told the court: “The brevity of her symptoms she had experienced led her to the situation that she was convinced that the result of her test would be negative and then, demonstrating for her a remarkable lack of thought and a remarkable lack of consideration for others, she then went about her normal business.”

He said that Ms Ferrier wore a mask on the train to London and wore a mask and observed social distancing as situations required at the time.

However, he said the MP experienced “uncontrolled panic “ when her test result came back positive while in London and returned to Glasgow as soon as possible to isolate.

He said that Ms Ferrier feels remorse for her actions and is someone of good character who has made a significant contribution to her community through her work as an MP.

SNP European Election candidates at the launch of the SNP's European manifesto in Glasgow. Credit: PA

Ms Ferrier, wearing a face mask, left court without commenting.

The MP had faced renewed calls to stand down from the Commons following her guilty plea.

During the hearing last month, the court heard that Ms Ferrier did a test for Covid-19 on September 26 after showing symptoms, including a cough.

The next day she read to a congregation of about 45 people at a mass in St Mungo’s Church, Glasgow, before heading to Vic’s bar in Main Street, Prestwick, South Ayrshire.

She then travelled to London by train on September 27 and spoke in the Commons later that day.

A short time after, she found out she had tested positive for the virus.

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The court heard Test and Protect had tried to contact her three times and left two voicemails at about 10am that day before she returned the call at about 2pm, almost four hours later.

Ms Ferrier then returned to her hotel, where she spent the night, before heading back to London Euston and taking the train home to Glasgow, knowing she had Covid-19.

The MP, of Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire, had the SNP whip removed in 2020 after the allegations emerged.

She has come under pressure to resign from her seat but remains an MP.