Sammy Wilson face mask expenses claim ‘another calamity’ says SDLP’s Colin McGrath

An MP’s expenses claim lodged by the DUP’s Sammy Wilson for face masks worth £48.56 has been described as “another calamity” by an SDLP MLA.
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Mr Wilson’s expenses claim was first reported by the Sunday Times newspaper.

This follows controversy surrounding the East Antrim MP, who likened the use of face coverings to a muzzle back in July.

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Mr Wilson posted an image of himself enjoying an ice cream indoors while going without a face mask.

File photo dated 13/12/19 of DUP's Sammy Wilson. Photo credit: Liam McBurney/PA WireFile photo dated 13/12/19 of DUP's Sammy Wilson. Photo credit: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
File photo dated 13/12/19 of DUP's Sammy Wilson. Photo credit: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

He visited the Rinkha in Islandmagee where he tucked into a cone filled with whipped ice-cream, covered in chocolate hundreds and thousands and a flake.

On Twitter, he posted the image with the caption: “Support local business. You can’t eat when you’re muzzled!”

And there was further controversy in September, when he was photographed on public transport in London without wearing a face covering.

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Following that incident, he said he owned up to making a mistake and said he “should have had it on”.

His expenses claim for face coverings was also reported by the BBC’s Nolan Show on Radio Ulster this morning.

SDLP MLA Colin McGrath told the programme: “This is another calamity in a long list of them from Sammy, who is increasingly showing a bit of a disregard to the public opinion.

“His first was on the face mask and its usage and now we can see it’s about claiming for them.”

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He added: “I think that the public have clearly articulated that they’re very unhappy with the shenanigans that are going on and I do think that the DUP leadership would do well to take Sammy in hand.”

A DUP spokesman said: “Face coverings have been mandatory on public transport since 10 July 2020. Their purpose is to protect others rather than the wearer. The covering should be worn correctly over the nose, mouth and around the sides of the face. Elected representatives should set an example where possible. Mr Wilson should have been wearing his mask correctly.”

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