SHAMED MP Margaret Ferrier last night dodged a suspension from Parliament – but may yet face a 30-day ban from the House of Commons.
The 62-year-old, who was booted out by the SNP after breaching Covid lockdown rules in 2020, had been expected to be handed the punishment on Thursday afternoon.
However, the motion which would have confirmed the suspension failed to be moved by a Tory Whip.
Usually, the motions are approved on the nod without the need for a formal vote, but they can be contested.
It is understood that the motion will be rescheduled amid claims that there was a lack of MPs present for a vote to take place.
However, Westminster entered recess at the close of play today, meaning that the earliest it can be put back onto the order paper will be Monday, June 5.
A suspension from the Commons of over 10 days would trigger a recall petition.
And If 10 per cent of an MP’s constituents sign that petition, they would need to stand down with a by-election then taking place.
The failure to suspend Ms Ferrier sparked criticism from Labour, with the party’s shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray describing it as “deeply disappointing”.
The Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP was suspended from the SNP Commons group by leader Ian Blackford in after admitting she had travelled to London by train after getting Covid symptoms – before returning after she tested positive.
Under strict national guidance at the time, Ferrier should have stayed at home for 10 days.
She made the journey to and from by train having been told to self-isolate between September 27 and 29, 2020.
Awaiting her results, she went to church and gave a reading to the congregation, and later spent more than two hours in a bar.
Ferrier handed herself in to police on January 4, 2021 where she was arrested.
Ms Ferrier pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court in August 2022 to culpably and recklessly exposing the public to the virus.
She was ordered to carry out 270 hours of community service.
Ms Ferrier clung on to her seat as an independent as the sentence did not pass the threshold for parliament “Recall” rules at the time.