Margaret Ferrier branded 'desperate' after shamed covid MP begs people not to sign recall petition

Margaret Ferrier has been branded "desperate" after the disgraced MP begged constituents not to sign a recall petition to remove her from office.A by-election will be triggered in Rutherglen and Hamilton West if more than 8,113 registered voters sign their names in support.The recall petition opened today and a steady stream of locals could be seen entering Rutherglen Town hall to sign it.The seat is viewed as a key Labour target and the party is actively encouraging voters to use one of the seven signing places across the constituency before July 31 deadline.Ferrier, who was elected as an SNP MP, has sat as an independent since she was found to have broken strict coronavirus rules in 2020.Despite losing the party whip she has steadfastly refused to resign despite facing calls to do so from both Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf.She said yesterday: "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."Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour deputy leader, told the Record: "I find it astonishing that Margaret Ferrier, who was elected as an SNP MP, is now denying she is political at all."I think it is a mark of desperation - she's desperate to cling on to this seat, at whatever cost."But I don't think she's doing a favour to the people of this area.