Coronavirus shame MP Margaret Ferrier ESCAPES police action over 800-mile cross-Britain journey while ill because she took a test BEFORE new laws that could have seen her fined £4,000 came into effect
- Police said the former SNP politician broke no rules in England on trip last month
- She travelled while waiting for result of Covid test and again after positive result
- But Health Protection Regulations 2020 came into effect day after she got home
Covidiot MP Margaret Ferrier will face no police action despite travelling 800 miles across Britain while ill with coronavirus, Scotland Yard said today.
Detectives investigating the former SNP politician, 60, said that despite potentially infecting people on journeys between her Scottish constituency and London – where she spoke in Parliament – she broke no rules in England.
Ms Ferrier travelled by train while awaiting the results of a Covid test at the end of last month. She spoke in the Commons that night and then travelled back to Scotland the following day after being told the test was positive.
The Metropolitan Police this afternoon said that because Ms Ferrier took a coronavirus test on September 26 – and travelled to London two days later – she could not face action under the Health Protection Regulations 2020, because they only came into effect on September 29.
The new law introduced a £4,000 fine for people who ‘recklessly’ breach lockdown.
The Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP was stripped of the nationalist party’s whip and faces mounting calls to resign her £80,000-per-year job.
But she remains defiant and refuses to back down, blaming ‘muddled rules’ for her actions.
She spoke in the Commons while ill before returning to Scotland, but blamed ‘muddled’ rules
A Scotland Yard spokesman today said: ‘Officers considered possible offences including those under Reg. 11(2) of the Health Protection Regulations 2020 which relates to self-isolation requirement.
‘However, on detailed examination of this new legislation, and following legal advice, it was concluded that this regulation is applicable only after the 28th September 2020. In this case the test occurred prior to the 29th September 2020 and therefore the regulation does not apply.
‘As such, there will be no further action in relation to this investigation from the Metropolitan Police.’
However, they added that they had referred the case to Police Scotland for consideration, so she may still face action there.
A spokesman for the force said: ‘We are aware of the decision by the Metropolitan Police. We will now assess the circumstances and consult with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service before taking a decision on next steps.’
