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ARLENE Foster, DUP LEADER, has said that they are all “equally subject to the law” after a photograph emerged showing one of their MPs on a train without covering their face.
Sammy Wilson said “I should have put it and I don’t offer any excuses.”
A photograph of Wilson aboard a train, reading a magazine and without a mask, was posted on Twitter.
When asked about the matter at the Stormont Executive press conference, Foster said: “Sammy has made a statement regarding 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 before the law.
“So it’s important that we remember that, and that’s the position of the DUP.”
He added at tonight’s press conference that he had not yet had a chance to speak with Wilson on the matter.
“Everyone has to comply with the law and bear the consequences, in addition to not complying with those laws,” he said.
In a statement to the PA news agency, Wilson asked why the person who took the photograph did not approach him directly on the train.
“He didn’t have a mask, he should have put it on and I offer no excuse, but it is sad that we have now become East Germany under the Stasi, where members of the public think it is acceptable to act like snoopers.” he said.
“Whoever took the photo didn’t come up to me or say anything to me, which I suppose would have been the right way to behave.”
North Down MP Stephen Farry tweeted: “Most NI MPs recognize, understand and respect the rules about masks” on public transportation.
Those caught without a mask on London public transport can face a fine of £ 200, which doubles every time they catch a person, up to £ 6,400.
There are exceptions to the rule for reasons of age, health and disability.
Earlier this week, Conservative MP Danny Kruger apologized after being seen without a mask during a public transport trip in London.
Kruger, David Cameron’s former speechwriter, said in a statement: “I boarded a nearly empty carriage at Hungerford and simply forgot to put on the mask.
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“When I got to Paddington I realized my mistake and hid for the rest of my trip.
“If the person had remembered me instead of taking a photo and posting it on social media, of course, I would have put the mask on right then and there.
“I apologize for my mistake.”
Wilson has previously been outspoken about wearing face coverings.
In July, he tweeted a photo of himself at an ice cream parlor in Co Antrim without a mask, with the message “You can’t eat ice cream when gagged!”
Face covering indoors became mandatory in Northern Ireland on 10 August.
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