An MP from Nicola Sturgeon's Scottish National Party (SNP) has been suspended after travelling home by train from London to Scotland despite having received a positive test result for Covid-19.
Margaret Ferrier was told her test was positive on Monday after she had spoken in Britain's parliament at Westminster.
"On Monday evening I received a positive test result for Covid-19. I travelled home by train on Tuesday morning without seeking advice. This was ... wrong and I am sorry," she said in a statement.
Ms Ferrier had taken a Covid-19 test on Saturday.
She then travelled to London by train on Monday morning, despite not yet receiving the result.
The SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford said on Twitter he was suspending her.
Ms Sturgeon said: "This is utterly indefensible.
"It's hard to express just how angry I feel on behalf of people across the country making hard sacrifices every day to help beat Covid.
"The rules apply to everyone and they’re in place to keep people safe. [Ian Blackford] is right to suspend the whip."
Statement: pic.twitter.com/rdWYhIauYv
— Margaret Ferrier MP (@MargaretFerrier) October 1, 2020
It is mandatory in England for people to self-isolate if they test positive for the coronavirus, with fines of £1,000 for those who breach the rules.
A train drivers' union has said Ms Ferrier's train journey after a positive Covid-19 test was "dangerous and disgraceful".
The Aslef union tweeted: "Rail staff have worked throughout this pandemic to make sure the network could serve the public.
"We've worked day in, day out to keep our railway as safe as possible for passengers and staff.
"For an MP to get on a train knowing she has Covid-19 is both dangerous and disgraceful."
A Police Scotland spokeswoman confirmed they were aware of the reports that Ms Ferrier had travelled after testing positive for Covid-19.
She said: "We are aware of the circumstances and are liaising with our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police Service."
Timeline of events based on numerous accounts:
Saturday 26 September
Ms Ferrier said this was when she experienced "mild symptoms" of Covid-19 in the afternoon and took a test.
She did not state where she was when she fell ill or whether she initially began isolating.
Monday 28 September
The MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West said she was "feeling much better" so took a train to Parliament in London.
At 7.15pm, she gave a four-minute speech in the House of Commons during a debate on coronavirus.
Ms Ferrier received a positive result for coronavirus, by her account. But she did not state whether she received the diagnosis before or after addressing MPs.
Tuesday 29 September
Ms Ferrier said she boarded a train in the morning without seeking advice but began self-isolating when she returned home in Scotland.
Wednesday 30 September
She informed the SNP whip of her test in the afternoon, according to the House of Commons.
Thursday 1 October
Ms Ferrier reported herself to Police Scotland.
She released a statement saying she was "very sorry for my mistake" and acknowledging she should have self-isolated while awaiting her test result.
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford suspends the whip from Ms Ferrier amid widespread calls for her to go.
