Jamie Bryson and Paddy Barnes in ‘tag team’ versus Stephen Nolan over Covid petrol station broadcast

The footage of him approaching people was shown on Nolan Live on Wednesday night.

One clip showed him walking behind a man as they traversed the forecourt, questioning him as they went.

“We just noticed when you walked in you weren’t wearing a mask,” he said. “But why is that sir? Do you care... so why did you go in without it?”

Two of those who criticised him were loyalist activist Jamie Bryson and Olympic boxer Paddy Barnes.

Mr Barnes tweeted: “Who does Nolan think he is?” which prompted some 240 likes 200 comments.

But Stephen challenged him to look at the evidence for his actions.

“Paddy, have you spoken to anybody who has been in intensive care from CoVid?” he asked. “I have. Have you looked at the data around how much a face mask protects the community around the wearer? I have. Have you looked at the legislation? I have. Let me know if you have.”

Mr Bryson also criticised the popular broadcaster.

“Fundamentally disagree with Stephen Nolan chasing people down the street seeking to shame and criminalise persons not wearing a mask,” he said. “(1) the BBC aren’t an ‘enforcement’ authority under the Regulations (2) It’s punching down; trying to coerce the ‘little people’ on behalf of the powerful.”

His tweet got 340 likes and prompted 90 comments.

He added later: “I never thought I’d be in the ring in a tag-team with Paddy Barnes taking on Stephen Nolan.”

But Mr Nolan argued he was clearly acting in the public interest. “I’m not criminalising anybody,” he said. “If people break the law, they are criminalising themselves. And as for little people - there is none more little than a vulnerable person, helpless because they are surrounded by people who don’t give a damn about their safety.”

Health Minister Robin Swann told Nolan Live that he wants police and environmental health officers to enforce wearing face coverings within days. He said NI is very close to the stage where anybody “anywhere in society” inside a building will have to wear a mask if they cannot stay apart.

A BBC NI spokesman said: “We think that compliance with Covid-19 regulations and their role in helping to limit the transmission of Coronavirus is a matter of significant public interest.

“We note the views of the Health Minister and his advisors on the importance of face coverings and also the exemptions that exist for some people. Our programme reflected differing views on this subject, including some that were critical of the approach that we had taken in highlighting non-compliance with the Executive’s regulations.

“Filming took place openly and provided everyone featured with an opportunity to explain their position.”

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