Alex Easton: DUP MLA caught shopping for shoes online while at Stormont health committee COVID-19 meeting

DUP MLA, Alex Easton, has apologised after he was caught shopping for shoes on a laptop while attending a Stormont health committee meeting about Northern Ireland's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Andrew Quinn
By Andrew Quinn
Published 7th May 2020, 17:32 BST
Updated 7th May 2020, 17:34 BST
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Mr. Easton was filmed shopping for shoes when officials from the Public Health Agency were describing how they were battling the outbreak.

An image showing Mr. Easton sitting shopping for shoes on his laptop was shared widely across social media.

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Mr. Easton told BBC News NI he regretted the incident and said he had written a letter of apology to the Assembly speaker.

DUP MLA Alex Easton said the reason he was shopping for shoes was because his current pair are worn and all of the shops are closed because of the Coronavirus lockdown. (Photo: Stormont Executive)DUP MLA Alex Easton said the reason he was shopping for shoes was because his current pair are worn and all of the shops are closed because of the Coronavirus lockdown. (Photo: Stormont Executive)
DUP MLA Alex Easton said the reason he was shopping for shoes was because his current pair are worn and all of the shops are closed because of the Coronavirus lockdown. (Photo: Stormont Executive)

"I apologise unreservedly for disrespecting the committee," he told BBC News NI.

"I should have found time outside of the committee to resolve the matter.

"It will not happen again.

"I have also written to the Assembly speaker and the committee chairman expressing my apologies."

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First Minister and DUP leader, Arlene Foster, agreed that Mr. Easton should not have been shopping for shoes while attending the health committee meeting.

"Alex has acknowledged he should not have been doing that, of course he should not have been shopping online when we are in this health crisis," she added.

"What we all need to do is ensure we work very hard to deal with all the issues in front of us."

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Related topics:Covid-19Northern IrelandDUPArlene Foster