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DUP LEADER ARLENE Foster has said everyone is “equally subject to the law” after a photograph emerged showing one of her MPs on a train without a face covering.
Sammy Wilson said he “should have had it on and am offering no excuse”.
A photograph has been posted on Twitter of Wilson on board a train, reading a magazine and not wearing a mask.
Asked about the matter at the Stormont Executive press conference, Foster said: “Sammy has made a statement in relation to that matter.
“But just for clarity, I want to say this as clearly as I can, everyone is subject to the law, everyone is equally subject to the law and equal under the law.
“So it is important that we remember that, and that is the position of the DUP.”
She added at the press conference this evening that she had not had the opportunity to speak to Wilson about the matter yet.
“Everybody has to abide by the law and take the consequences as well as not abiding by those laws,” she said.
In a statement to the PA news agency, Wilson queried why the person who took the photograph had not approached him directly on the train.
“I didn’t have a mask on, should have had it on and am offering no excuse but it is sad that we have now become like East Germany under the Stasi where members of the public think it is acceptable to act as snoops,” he said.
“Whoever took the picture didn’t approach me or say anything to me which I suppose would have been the proper way to behave.”
North Down MP Stephen Farry tweeted: “Most NI MPs do acknowledge, understand and respect rules re facemasks” on public transport.
Those caught not wearing a mask on public transport in London can face a £200 fine, which doubles each time a person is caught, up to £6,400.
There are exemptions for the rule on the basis of age, health and disability reasons.
Earlier this week, Conservative MP Danny Kruger apologised after being spotted without a mask during a public transport journey in London.
Kruger, David Cameron’s former speechwriter, said in a statement: “I boarded an almost empty carriage at Hungerford and quite simply forgot to put on my mask.
“When I got to Paddington I realised my mistake and covered up for the rest of my journey.
“If the person had reminded me rather than taking a photo and posting it on social media I would of course have put on my mask then and there.
“I do apologise for my mistake.”
Wilson has previously been outspoken about the wearing of face coverings.
In July he tweeted a photograph of himself in an ice cream shop in Co Antrim not wearing a mask, with the message “you can’t eat ice cream when you’re muzzled!”
Face coverings in indoor places became compulsory in Northern Ireland on 10 August.
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Did anyone expect class from this person?
@Shane McGrath: apparently he lied first and said he only took his mask off to answer his mobile, but had to come clean in the end.
@Joe Johnson: ha, why would you do that anyway.
@Shane McGrath: What?? no mask on the Queens Underground Highway? Bloody bad show old boy!
I’m surprised his wearing clothes considering he loves nature!
You know what else has no excuse Sammy? Gun-running South African weapons for Johnny Adair & Co.
@ruairi: not to mention Palestinian weapons seized after the PLO evacuation of Beirut, smuggled from Israel through S Africa to Brian Nelson and various loyalist paramilitary groups.
@John Brendan Mullen:
Have we moved on or not?
@Michael J Flynn: In fairness if you ever heard the drivel that comes out of the DUP especially this plonker its fairly obvious they haven’t
Absolutely shocked any Londoner would know who he is. What can you expect from a hog but a grunt?
@Bill Clay: What’s the chances there was someone from Norn Iron in London? The fact Sammy himself was there is a clue that it is actually possible. Madness.
The man is a dinosaur who has being profiteering of the British taxpayer since he entered politics while preaching Anti Catholic rhetoric nonsense.
@Paul Mc: w
@Paul Mc: well that clears up man in train not wearing a mask issue
Ah the wee law wouldn’t apply to Sammy!!!
He is disabled. He’s a bigoted Unionist.
In fairness not wearing a mask but being otherwise fully clothed is a huge improvement for Sammy, based on past form.
Fingers crossed
Even if there was no pandemic he should have to wear a mask anyway! Also a gag would be nice too! Shammy The Clown!
I’m no fan of the DUP but this is ridiculous. Maybe he simply forgot and was immersed in reading. The person that took the photo and then put it on social media is a bigger pest than Wilson in this scenario.
@Paul Mallon: fully agree. You can’t do anything anymore without someone videoing it or taking a photo. I fear for my kids when they get older. Glad I grew up when I did.
@Paul Mallon: Agreed. And the holier than thou mob of self-righteous prlcks will be along shortly to insist he lose his job as well as receive a fine.
@Tommy Roche: he’s putting people’s lives at risk you absolute gobdaw.
@Tommy Roche: I believe he is one of the leaders of the holier than thou mob of self righteous …..
@Fergus Lynch: And he’ll get a fine for that. £200 as laid down by law.
@Fergus Lynch: have u ever gone through a yellow light Fergus? Or broken a speed limit? Well you’re putting people’s lives at risk. Cop on man. Wilson has never said he doesn’t believe in wearing a mask, simply he had a momentary lapse
@Paul Mallon: “Maybe he simply forgot and was immersed in reading.”
Me hole he was. He is on record as being an anti-masker.
@Paul Mallon: ‘Standards in High Places’.
@family guy: Try doing things that aren’t incredibly stupid or reckless and you might find nobody is interested in recording you. It’s only the people who are constantly an irritant to those around them and society in general who have something to fear.
@Paul Mallon: there is absolutely no way you could forget. There are repeat tanoy messages at the tube, tram and train stations on wearing a mask and how to wear one. This is repeated when you’re on the transport as well as numerous signage. Kruger and Wilson are lying !
@Paul Mallon: No he is not!
@Seán Ó Briain: waa that before they were made mandatory on public transport? If so, grand….he had an opinion which subsequently became irrelevant and he became a law breaker. Fine him or Imprison him and lets move on. Theres more at stake than score settling.
..is longkeish still open
Down with unionist ideology
Its hard to drink from a brown paperbag and wear a mask at the same time.
Anus horriblus and not talking about this year more likely his back passage which is in his mou&th
@Sean de paore,
Well let Fianna Fail ( The Republican Party) run for election in the 6 counties and see how many votes they get.( Free Staters one and all).
Why is this news in this country?
If there was proper republican representation at Westminister he wouldn’t be getting quarter the attention or air time he does.
At least he had his clothes on.
What u expect from a liverpool fan
any sane virus wouldnt attack that creature !!
No no no mask
Sammy is a bit confused….
Sammy only wears leather masks, complete with ball gags
He already have a natural mask on.
have your say