Keir Starmer to speak to residents in Margaret Ferrier’s constituency

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer will speak to residents from Margaret Ferrier’s constituency, following outrage over the MP’s breaches of coronavirus rules.

He will host a “Call Keir” virtual meeting with constituents in Rutherglen and Hamilton West on Wednesday.

Voters will be invited to discuss the issue with Sir Keir, as well as the UK and Scottish governments’ handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Ms Ferrier has had the SNP whip withdrawn following revelations about her behaviour after she developed Covid-19 symptoms.

The MP developed coronavirus symptoms and took a test on Saturday September 26.

She breached rules by travelling to London the following Monday and taking a train back to Scotland on the Tuesday after receiving a positive result.

Ms Ferrier is also reported to have attended a church service on the Sunday after she took the test.

Ahead of the call, the Labour leader said it “beggars belief” that Ms Ferrier has so far refused to step down as an MP, calling it a “gross error of judgment”.

Despite calls from across the political spectrum, Ms Ferrier remains the MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West.

Sir Keir said: “After admitting to multiple serious breaches of the coronavirus regulations, it beggars belief that Margaret Ferrier thinks it is appropriate to continue as an MP. This is a gross error of judgment.

“I want to speak directly to local residents about this scandal, to those locally who are feeling angry and frustrated about the situation.

“I also want to hear how the community is coping with coronavirus, how they feel the UK and Scottish governments have handled the pandemic, and what the Labour Party needs to do to rebuild trust among those voters we have lost.”