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Newly elected SNP MP Lara Bird has already caused a stir on social media after apparently crossing her fingers while pledging allegiance to King Charles. She was among three parliamentarians sworn in at Westminster on Monday following their victories in by-elections the previous week.

Scottish Tory MP Douglas Lumsden achieved a remarkable victory in Aberdeen South, claiming Stephen Flynn's former seat in a significant triumph for the party and Kemi Badenoch. Meanwhile, Andy Burnham secured the Makersfield seat, positioning himself as a Prime Minister in waiting.

Ms Bird had previously been labelled a "carpet bagger" after living and working in London while attempting to secure the SNP candidacy for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry. The seat sits within an SNP stronghold and she duly claimed victory, with the Scottish Conservatives finishing in a surprising second place.

She was the first of the newly elected cohort to take the oath, yet appeared to cross her fingers as she swore allegiance to the Crown. As part of the swearing-in process, all MPs are legally required to either swear an oath referencing God, or make a solemn affirmation.

Nevertheless, both declarations pledge allegiance to "King Charles, his heirs and successors", and MPs are prohibited from participating in debates, casting votes, or receiving their salary until those words have been uttered. According to popular superstition, crossing one's fingers indicates that a person has no intention of honouring a promise, or that they consider themselves absolved of telling a lie.

In delivering her oath, Ms Bird stated: "I take this oath only so that I can serve the people of Arbroath and Broughty Ferry. My first allegiance is, and always will be, the sovereign people of Scotland."

She subsequently raised her right hand, and seemed to cross her fingers as she declared: "I do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to his Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to the law, so help me God."

She was joined by fellow SNP colleagues Kirsty Blackman (Aberdeen North) and Chris Law (Dundee Central).

Her behaviour was condemned on X, with former MP Paul Scully posting: "Disappointing to see the first of the 3 MPs to swear the oath of allegiance, the new SNP MP for Arbroath, cross her fingers whilst reading the script. First of several performative appearances I suspect."

Ex-Home Secretary James Cleverly remarked: "I wonder if she realises that crossed fingers doesn't invalidate the oath. This is primary school."

One individual posted "Meaningless virtue-signalling right from the start."

Another commented: "She disgraced herself and her constituents."

A third observer posted: "Lara bird was extremely cocky during her swearing in. Not a good start."

And a fourth stated: "Lara Bird, new SNP MP taking the oath in WM with her fingers crossed - what an ignoramus."

Meanwhile, newly elected Scottish Conservative MP Douglas Lumsden pledged to defend his constituents as he took the oath.

He stated: "The oil and gas industry has been shamefully abandoned by SNP and Labour politicians. As Aberdeen South's MP I will never stop championing oil and gas workers. We simply cannot continue losing 1,000 jobs a month from the sector.

"The rapid decline in the North Sea is having a devastating impact across the city of Aberdeen with businesses being hit hard by the huge job losses and lack of investment. I urgently want to reverse this situation and ensure that Aberdeen is thriving, rather than barely surviving."

The SNP attempted to capitalise on Sir Keir Starmer's resignation by tabling legislation demanding the authority to stage a second independence referendum be transferred to the Scottish Parliament.

MP Graham Leadbitter argued it was "time we take the power out of the hands of Westminster politicians and put it into the hands of a Scottish Parliament that will deliver on people's priorities and wishes."

He branded the Labour Government's resistance to an independence referendum "undemocratic" and committed to utilising every parliamentary tool available to him to achieve one.