Labour’s Shadow Scottish Secretary has written to the SNP Leader
in Westminster, , demanding answers to the ‘serious questions’
surrounding the behaviour of Margaret Ferrier.
In the letter, Ian Murray writes: “These revelations have caused
a great deal of confusion and concern within Parliament. We are
faced with catastrophic, negligent actions by an MP which have
put lives at risk. You and your party’s slow response leaves much
to be desired, and the party must come forward with a full and
clear explanation. Commons staff and the wider public deserve
nothing less.”
Ends
Full text of the letter
Dear Ian,
I am writing to you following the revelation yesterday
surrounding the behaviour of , who has
had the SNP whip withdrawn following repeated breaches of
COVID-19 regulations.
You will be aware of the widespread public anger this has caused,
as well as the unforgiveable risk to public health. I wish Ms
Ferrier a speedy recovery, but it is clear that her position as a
legislator in our Parliament is now untenable. She should resign
as the MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, and give the people
of that constituency the opportunity to elect a new MP.
Ms Ferrier’s future is now a matter for her own conscience, and I
hope she does the right thing, but there remain a number of
serious questions for the SNP to answer in relation to this.
Given the risk to lives as a result of her actions, the public
have a right to full transparency from you.
Please could you answer the following questions which the public
have a right to know:
- How did Ms Ferrier travel to and from the Commons on Monday
and Tuesday? How did Ms Ferrier travel between her home and the
train station?
- Did Ms Ferrier have both the Scottish and English COVID
tracking apps downloaded to her phone and were they active? Have
all SNP MPs been instructed to download and activate both apps?
- How many MPs and staff did Ms Ferrier come into contact with
in the Parliament? Have they all been contacted and their
contacts traced?
- How many colleagues, MPs, parliamentary staff, doorkeepers
and members of the public are being recommend to self-isolate as
a result of Ms Ferrier’s actions?
- Did Ms Ferrier attend the SNP parliamentary group meeting
this week?
- How many SNP colleagues has Ms Ferrier came into contact with
since she travelled back to Scotland? Are any now self-isolating?
- When precisely were SNP whips informed that Ms Ferrier would
be returning to Scotland on Tuesday and what reason were they
given?
- At what time on Monday did Ms Ferrier receive her positive
result, given she spoke in the chamber that evening? Were SNP
whips aware when she was speaking that she would be returning
home the following day?
- At what time were SNP whips informed on Wednesday that Ms
Ferrier had tested positive? What questions were asked of her
about when she had taken the test, given she spoke in the chamber
on Monday evening?
- Ms Ferrier applied for a proxy vote on Monday and provided it
to the SNP Chief. When did she make the chief whip aware she was
applying for a proxy vote, for how long was this arrangement
meant to be in place and what explanation did she give for the
application to him?
- When were you personally informed that Ms Ferrier had tested
positive?
- At what time on Thursday did the SNP become aware that Ms
Ferrier had travelled after testing positive and how did this
information come to light?
- When were you personally made aware that Ms Ferrier had
breached COVID-19 restrictions? When was SNP leader informed, and when was SNP chief executive Peter
Murrell informed?
- Who guided Ms Ferrier through her statement of apology and
was any advice given by the SNP regarding the content and issuing
of the apology?
- Why was action not taken immediately to withdraw the whip
from Ms Ferrier when it became clear she had travelled after
testing positive?
- Why did it take public outrage before you openly criticised
Ms Ferrier’s recklessness?
- Have you or spoken directly to Ms Ferrier following the
revelations?
I appreciate I have asked a lot of questions, but people have a
lot of questions they deserve answers to. These revelations have
caused a great deal of confusion and concern within Parliament.
We are faced with catastrophic, negligent actions by an MP which
have put lives at risk. You and your party’s slow response leaves
much to be desired, and the party must come forward with a full
and clear explanation. Commons staff and the wider public deserve
nothing less.
I have copied this letter to the Speaker of the House and given
the public’s right to full transparency, I will be making this
letter public.
Yours sincerely,
Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland
Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South
