MP Margaret Ferrier given 270-hour community payback over Covid rules breach

Margaret Ferrier has been ordered to complete a 270-hour community payback order after admitting to putting people at risk when Covid-positive.

The MP, who was suspended by the SNP, travelled between Glasgow and London in September 2020 after taking a test for the virus.

In August, she admitted that she had culpably and recklessly exposed the public to the risk of infection, illness and death.

Ferrier was handed the sentence at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Tuesday.

Sheriff Turnbull told Ferrier that according to an expert who gave their opinion for the Crown, there was “significant risk of harm arising from your behaviour because the clear public health advice to self isolate was not followed”.

Lawyer Brian McConnachie KC said 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 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 Ferrier, a divorced mother of one, 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.

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