Nicola Sturgeon demands Scottish MP Margaret Ferrier quits for taking train after positive Covid test

MP reports herself to police and faces calls to resign after bringing virus to UK parliament

Scottish MP Margaret Ferrier attended the House of Commons while experiencing symptoms of coronavirus. House of Commons

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has demanded an MP who travelled on a train after receiving a positive test for coronavirus "do the right thing" and quit.

Scottish National Party MP Margaret Ferrier took the five-hour journey home to Glasgow despite knowing she had coronavirus.

She had taken a test on Saturday after feeling unwell. After feeling “much better” she then travelled to London where she spoke in a debate on Monday in the House of Commons about the handling of the Covid crisis.

After receiving her result that night, she then chose to travel by train on Tuesday.

She has been suspended by the SNP and informed police about her actions.

The Scottish first minister urged Ms Ferrier step down after describing the breach as "the worst imaginable".

She said: "I’ve spoken to Margaret Ferrier and made clear my view that she should step down as an MP.

"I have no power to force an MP to resign but I hope she will do the right thing."

Ms Sturgeon earlier tweeted that the MP's actions had been "utterly indefensible".

SNP parliamentary leader Ian Blackford also appeared to suggest Ms Ferrier should resign.

"I'm asking her to reflect on her position," he told BBC's Radio 4 Today programme.

It is mandatory in England for people to self-isolate if they test positive for the coronavirus, with fines of up to £10,000 for those who breach the rules.

The Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP said: “I apologise unreservedly for breaching Covid-19 restrictions by travelling this week when I shouldn’t have. There is no excuse for my actions”

Police Scotland confirmed they had been contacted by Ms Ferrier, saying officers were "looking into the circumstances" and liaising with the Metropolitan Police Service.

Ms Ferrier criticised Boris Johnson's chief aide in May after it emerged he broke lockdown rules by driving to Durham.

Former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said the MP should resign.

She told BBC's Newsnight: "She shouldn't be an MP at all. That's on her and if she had a shred of decency she would (resign)."

The opposition Labour party's Scotland spokesman had earlier said the SNP should condemn Ferrier and discipline her.

“It can't be one rule for Margaret Ferrier, and one rule for everyone else," Ian Murray said on Twitter.

FDA union general secretary Dave Penman, who represents MPs, told the BBC: “It is such a deliberate and reckless act. She potentially infected a number of people in parliament.”

Mr Penman stopped short of saying she should be sacked but added “anyone who recklessly endangers people should face the consequences.”