Scottish MP visited bar and leisure centre while suffering from Covid, court hears

An MP accused of illegally travelling from Scotland to the House of Commons by train with Covid symptoms also visited a bar more than 30 miles from her home while potentially infectious, it is alleged.

Margaret Ferrier, who represents Rutherglen and Hamilton West, is alleged to have made a series of journeys despite being told to self-isolate between Sep 26 and 29 last year.

The former SNP politician, who now sits as an independent, has been charged with culpable and reckless conduct by Scottish prosecutors.

At a court hearing on Wednesday, which Ms Ferrier did not attend, further details of the allegations against her emerged.

The MP is said to have visited Vic’s Bar in Prestwick, Ayrshire, a 45-minute drive from her home in Cambuslang, on the outskirts of Glasgow.

She is also said to have visited a leisure centre, boutique gift shop and salon in Rutherglen, close to her home, and is alleged to have gone to a cafe in Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, a 30-minute drive from her home, and St Mungo’s Church in Glasgow.

The 61-year-old is then accused of taking a taxi trip from Cambuslang to Glasgow Central train station.

It is claimed Ms Ferrier travelled to London Euston station and elsewhere in the city, including the Houses of Parliament. She then made the return journey to Glasgow from London by train, a charge against her stated.

No plea was made by Paul Kavanagh, her lawyer, to the single charge at a hearing on Wednesday in Glasgow Sheriff Court.

She has resisted calls to stand down as an MP, and as it stands will hold on to her £81,932 per year job until Parliament is dissolved before the next general election, which must be held by May 2024.

A further hearing was fixed for January by Sheriff Paul Reid, who excused Ms Ferrier from attending court in person. She was granted bail in the meantime.