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DUP leader Arlene Foster has said everyone is \u201cequally subject to the law\u201d after a photograph emerged showing one of her MPs on a train without a face covering.<\/p>\nDUP leader Arlene Foster has said everyone is \u201cequally subject to the law\u201d after a photograph emerged showing one of her MPs on a train without a face covering.<\/p>\n
Sammy Wilson said he \u201cshould have had it on and am offering no excuse\u201d.<\/p>\n
A photograph has been posted on Twitter of Mr Wilson on board a train, reading a magazine and not wearing a mask.<\/p>\n
Asked about the matter at the Stormont Executive press conference, Mrs Foster said: \u201cSammy has made a statement in relation to that matter.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it is important that we remember that, and that is the position of the DUP.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added at the press conference on Thursday evening that she had not had the opportunity to speak to Mr Wilson about the matter yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody has to abide by the law and take the consequences as well as not abiding by those laws,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Mr Wilson queried why the person who took the photograph had not approached him directly on the train.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoever took the picture didn\u2019t approach me or say anything to me which I suppose would have been the proper way to behave.\u201d<\/p>\n
North Down MP Stephen Farry tweeted: \u201cMost NI MPs do acknowledge, understand and respect rules re facemasks\u201d on public transport.<\/p>\n
Those caught not wearing a mask on public transport in London can face a \u00a3200 fine, which doubles each time a person is caught, up to \u00a36,400.<\/p>\n
There are exemptions for the rule on the basis of age, health and disability reasons.<\/p>\n
Earlier this week, Conservative MP Danny Kruger apologized after being spotted without a mask during a public transport journey in London.<\/p>\n
Mr Kruger, David Cameron\u2019s former speechwriter, said in a statement: \u201cI boarded an almost empty carriage at Hungerford and quite simply forgot to put on my mask.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I got to Paddington I realized my mistake and covered up for the rest of my journey.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do apologize for my mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Wilson has previously been outspoken about the wearing of face coverings.<\/p>\n
In July he tweeted a photograph of himself in an ice cream shop in Co Antrim not wearing a mask, with the message \u201cyou can\u2019t eat ice cream when you\u2019re muzzled!\u201d<\/p>\n
Face coverings in indoor places became compulsory in Northern Ireland on August 10.<\/p>\n