Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has demanded an MP who travelled on a train after receiving a positive test for coronavirus "do the right thing" and quit.
Scottish National Party MP Margaret Ferrier took the five-hour journey home to Glasgow despite knowing she had coronavirus.
She had taken a test on Saturday after feeling unwell. After feeling “much better” she then travelled to London where she spoke in a debate on Monday in the House of Commons about the handling of the Covid crisis.
After receiving her result that night, she then chose to travel by train on Tuesday.
She has been suspended by the SNP and informed police about her actions.
The Scottish first minister urged Ms Ferrier step down after describing the breach as "the worst imaginable".
She said: "I’ve spoken to Margaret Ferrier and made clear my view that she should step down as an MP.
"I have no power to force an MP to resign but I hope she will do the right thing."
Ms Sturgeon earlier tweeted that the MP's actions had been "utterly indefensible".
SNP parliamentary leader Ian Blackford also appeared to suggest Ms Ferrier should resign.
"I'm asking her to reflect on her position," he told BBC's Radio 4 Today programme.
It is mandatory in England for people to self-isolate if they test positive for the coronavirus, with fines of up to £10,000 for those who breach the rules.
The Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP said: “I apologise unreservedly for breaching Covid-19 restrictions by travelling this week when I shouldn’t have. There is no excuse for my actions”
Police Scotland confirmed they had been contacted by Ms Ferrier, saying officers were "looking into the circumstances" and liaising with the Metropolitan Police Service.
Ms Ferrier criticised Boris Johnson's chief aide in May after it emerged he broke lockdown rules by driving to Durham.
Former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said the MP should resign.
She told BBC's Newsnight: "She shouldn't be an MP at all. That's on her and if she had a shred of decency she would (resign)."
The opposition Labour party's Scotland spokesman had earlier said the SNP should condemn Ferrier and discipline her.
“It can't be one rule for Margaret Ferrier, and one rule for everyone else," Ian Murray said on Twitter.
FDA union general secretary Dave Penman, who represents MPs, told the BBC: “It is such a deliberate and reckless act. She potentially infected a number of people in parliament.”
Mr Penman stopped short of saying she should be sacked but added “anyone who recklessly endangers people should face the consequences.”
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The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
