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The Roman Catholic Church in Glasgow has expressed “disappointment” after it was reported that SNP deputy Margaret Ferrier attended a church service and gave a reading to the congregation the day after taking a coronavirus test.
Ferrier has faced a barrage of criticism and is asking him to step down after revealing last Thursday that he traveled to London and spoke in the Commons while awaiting the result of a coronavirus test, then returned by train from London to Scotland after test positive.
The Daily Record newspaper reported Tuesday morning that Ferrier attended a mass at St Mungo’s Church in Townhead, Glasgow, on Sunday September 27, the day after he took the test. It is also believed that she gave a reading from the Bible from the altar.
The MP’s social media posts also show that she visited a gift shop, beauty salon and leisure center in her constituency on Saturday, September 26, the day she developed symptoms and took the test.
In response to the report, the Archdiocese of Glasgow said: “For the good of the entire community, it is important that anyone who is required to isolate himself does so in accordance with government guidance, so no one in that situation should attend Mass. It is disappointing that this did not happen, but we would like to assure people that we comply with all government and church guidelines. “
The church’s website states that public mass is limited to 50 people and those who protect themselves, isolate themselves or feel bad should not attend.
The SNP acted swiftly to suspend Ferrier on Thursday night, and party leader Nicola Sturgeon continued to ask her former colleague to “do the right thing” in her daily briefing Monday, while voters and colleagues have voiced their disappointment and anger. .
But friends are believed to be encouraging Ferrier to take some time before making his decision, pointing to other former SNP MPs who remained independents, as well as former Finance Minister Derek Mackay, who remains an MSP eight months after. who was suspended after reports that he sent inappropriate messages to a 16-year-old boy on social media.
Writing in the National on Monday, former MP George Kerevan claimed that Ferrier was the victim of a media trial driven by “virtue markers” in his own party.
But opposition parties have questioned why the SNP has not expelled Ferrier. Also on Monday, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: “If the SNP expects the public to keep making sacrifices, they have to act; warm words won’t cut it. It is puzzling that they are still dragging their heels. Margaret Ferrier knowingly took public transportation with Covid, recklessly risking the lives of others. This is not a trial by the media. It is a trial for her own stupidity and there is no doubt that she is guilty, so the SNP must expel her ”.
In addition to the police, Ferrier has referred to the Commons standards commissioner, but is not expected to conclude his investigation for some time. The shortest investigation he has carried out took two weeks. If the rules investigation results in a suspension from the house for 10 days or more, this would trigger an impeachment petition, allowing your constituents to decide if they want a by-election.
Ferrier’s office has been contacted for comment.
