SCOTTISH Labour are set to name their candidate to take on Margaret Ferrier in the event that she quits or is forced out of office.
The SNP MP travelled to the Westminster Parliament despite being required to self-isolate with coronavirus symptoms, and then returned to Scotland by train after testing positive.
She has had the whip withdrawn, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and other senior party figures urging her to resign.
For a by-election to take place, the Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP would need to resign or be forced out through a recall petition. This would require her to be suspended from the House of Commons for at least 10 sitting days, or at least 14 days if sitting days are not specified.
A by-election could then be forced if 10% of her constituents sign a petition.
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard has now said his party will select a candidate "within weeks" in preparation for a contest.
READ MORE: Margaret Ferrier won't face further action from Met over rules breach
Labour held the Rutherglen and Hamilton West seat before Ferrier defeated incumbent Ged Killen in last year's general election Leonard said: "In a matter of weeks, Labour will have a candidate ready to contest a by-election in Rutherglen and Hamilton West.
"Margaret Ferrier has let down the people of this constituency and has forfeited her right to represent them in Parliament by flouting the laws on Covid that we all have to follow.
"Rutherglen and Hamilton West deserves an MP whose priority is to fight to protect workers' jobs and incomes, that are facing such a severe threat from Covid, rather than focusing on preserving a parliamentary salary and Westminster perks."
He added voters "deserve better than a lame duck MP, who only speaks up for her own interests".
Ferrier, who insists she will not stand down, has claimed the infection caused her to act "out of character" and she "panicked" before taking the train trip back to Scotland.
She also alleges that she was "hung out to dry" by the SNP.
Rutherglen SNP Constituency Association has said their members shared constituents’ feelings of “shock, anger and sadness” over Ferrier’s actions.
The Metropolitan police announced last week that the MP would face no further action over her rule-breaking trip. The case has been referred to Police Scotland for consideration.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel