[ad_1]
Suspended Scottish National Party MP Margaret Ferrier has been arrested by police and charged with violating coronavirus restrictions.
Scotland’s police said Ferrier, 60, had been charged “in connection with alleged reckless and guilty conduct” for allegedly failing to respect regulations limiting travel and social contact.
The Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP was suspended by the SNP in October after she admitted to traveling to London and attending debates in the Commons despite taking a Covid-19 test.
After being told his test was positive, Ferrier traveled home by train from London via Glasgow, later acknowledging visiting various businesses in Rutherglen on the day he took the test.
The Metropolitan Police investigated the incident, but concluded that no crime had been committed under the laws in force on the day of his trip to London. Legal checks in England went into effect several days later, but the Met passed its files on to the police in Scotland.
In a brief statement, Police Scotland said: “We can confirm that officers today arrested and charged a 60-year-old woman in connection with alleged reckless and guilty conduct.
“This follows a comprehensive investigation by the Scottish Police into an alleged breach of coronavirus regulations between 26-29 September 2020. A report will be sent to the prosecutor and we are unable to comment further.”
Ferrier apologized profusely after his travels came to light and said he took full responsibility for his decisions. “Despite feeling good, I should have isolated myself while waiting for my test result, and I deeply regret my actions,” he said.
Scotland’s police submitted a preliminary report to the Crown Office, Scotland’s prosecution service, in mid-November and the investigation continued under their direction.
The SNP suspended its review of Ferrier’s membership pending a police investigation. However, Ferrier has been sitting as an independent MP in the Commons since Oct. 1 after the party lifted the whip from her.
