Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP Margaret Ferrier said ‘her record speaks for itself’ as she urged constituents not to sign the recall petition for her constituency.
In a statement on her website, the former SNP politician claimed that many local people had informed her they do not want a by-election, which comes after news broke that she was suspended from Parliament for 30 days for breaking Covid regulations in 2020.
Beginning this morning, signing stations will be available throughout the area for six weeks, and if 10 per cent of voters choose to sign it then a by-election will be triggered.
The statement read: “Over the past few weeks I have visited many constituents and businesses across all areas of the constituency, and I look forward to continuing to do so over the next few weeks.
“As an Independent MP, my constituents are my top priority and always have been.
“The most important thing is that they are able to access the right support when they need it, and can be confident that their views are represented. My record speaks for itself in this respect.
“I do not have any desire or need to play into party politics, which inevitably distracts from constituency issues and the needs of local residents. While parties have already spent months arguing about their candidates for a by-election that has not even been confirmed, they have disregarded the very real issues faced by many in our community.
“That is why so many constituents have expressed to me that they do not want a by-election.
“Some constituents have told me they feel the instructions provided by the local authority are unclear.
“If you wish to see me continue as your MP, then do not sign the petition paper.
"It is ultimately up to the people of Rutherglen and Hamilton West to decide what happens next – not Westminster, not Holyrood, and certainly not any political party HQs.
“I made a mistake – for which I continue to apologise and have faced severe punishment. It has not deterred me from doing right by constituents and continuing to fight on their behalf. I hope that my constituents will recognise this.
“This will be my only statement on the matter. In the meantime, if you live in Rutherglen and Hamilton West, I look forward to seeing you while I am out and about over the coming weeks.”
During lockdown in September 2020, the incumbent MP spoke in parliament while awaiting the results of a Covid test. Despite testing positive, the MP then took a train home rather than self-isolating in London.
Ms Ferrier visited local businesses and travelled to London with Covid symptoms in October 2020, then back home the next day after receiving a positive test result, subsequently resulting in her having the SNP whip withdrawn and pleading guilty to a charge of culpable and reckless conduct for which she was sentenced to 270 hours’ community service.
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
