Nicola Sturgeon calls rule-breaking MP ‘Margaret Covid’ for second time

First minister suffers slip of the tongue during briefing while speaking about Margaret Ferrier

Nicola Sturgeon has accidentally called a rule-breaking MP “Margaret Covid” in a second slip of the tongue.  

The Scottish first minister told a press conference the SNP “didn't know last Monday or Tuesday that Margaret Covid has suspected or confirmed Covid”.  

Margaret Ferrier admitted she travelled by train to London last Monday despite awaiting results for a Covid-19 test.  

The Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP then spoke in the House of Commons before boarding a train back to Glasgow after the screening showed she was positive.  

It has since been reported that Ms Ferrier also attended a church service and gave a reading to the congregation the day after she took a test after developing coronavirus symptoms.

The MP attended mass at St Mungo's Church in Townhead, Glasgow, on 27 September, where she gave a gospel reading from the altar, according to the Daily Record newspaper. 

The Archdiocese of Glasgow said it would be “disappointing” if someone had not self-isolated “for the good of the whole community” and in accordance with the government’s guidance.  

Coronavirus rules state that anyone who develops symptoms must self-isolate as they await their test result. 

Ms Sturgeon first made the name blunder during a briefing on Friday, while discussing when she first became aware the MP had broken the rules.

She said at the time: "The first I knew about Margaret Covid, er, Margaret Ferrier, having Covid was yesterday afternoon.”  

Ms Sturgeon and other senior SNP figures have called for Ms Ferrier to go, but the MP remained silent over the weekend about her future.  

The first minister announced on Twitter she had told Ms Ferrier, whom she described as a friend, she should step down.  

She repeated her appeal to the MP on Monday, while defending her party's handling of the case, saying it had "acted to the maximum of what we can do".  

Ms Ferrier had the whip removed when her trips became public.  

Ian Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster leader, called on Ms Ferrier "to do the honourable thing" and resign.  

He told the Daily Telegraph Ms Ferrier should resign to save her "self-respect and dignity".  

Additional reporting by PA