Humza Yousaf says SNP support in Rutherglen and Hamilton West is ‘rock solid’
However, the Scottish First Minister and SNP leader said a by-election in the seat would be a ‘tough challenge’ for his party.
Humza Yousaf said he is “confident” the SNP can hold the constituency of Rutherglen and Hamilton West but admitted his party would face a “tough” challenge if a by-election is held there.
With a recall petition currently under way after Margaret Ferrier, the MP for the area, was suspended from the House of Commons for 30 for breaches of Covid rules, voters could force a by-election to oust her from the seat.
Mr Yousaf said: “It will be a tough by-election, there’s no getting away from that”.
There was also public outcry after it emerged Ms Ferrier, who was elected as an SNP MP but now sits as an independent, took a train from Scotland to London and spoke in the House of Commons while she should have been isolating while waiting for the results of a Covid test.
The MP, who travelled back to Scotland by train after being confirmed as positive with the virus, has appealed for people not to sing the recall petition.
Mr Yousaf, who was campaigning in Blantyre in the constituency on Saturday with SNP candidate Katy Loudon, however insisted that support for his party was “rock solid”.
Ms Ferrier has urged locals in the constituency not to sign the recall petition, saying her constituents are her “top priority”.
She stated: “I made a mistake for which I continue to apologise and have faced severe punishment.
“It has not deterred me from doing right by constituents and continuing to
fight on their behalf.
“I hope that my constituents will recognise this.”
Under parliamentary rules, MPs who are suspended for 10 sitting days or more are liable to face a by-election but only if 10% of their constituents sign a recall petition.
