Sammy Wilson’s face mask MP’s expenses claim ‘made to keep constituency office covid secure’, say DUP

Mr Wilson’s expenses claim was first reported by the Sunday Times newspaper and it followed controversy in the summer when the East Antrim MP likened the use of face coverings to a muzzle.

He posted an image of himself on social media enjoying an ice cream indoors while going without a face mask and wrote: “You can’t eat when you’re muzzled!”

Asked to respond to criticism of the MP on BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show this morning, a DUP spokesman said: “Mr Sammy Wilson MP claimed for facemasks for the purpose of providing them for those constituents who visit his office as well as for use by his staff. His office has been open to the public during the period and all necessary steps have been taken to make his office COVID-19 secure.”

The spokesman added: “Mr Wilson has not claimed for the provision of his own masks and they are used for his constituents and staff. On the description on the online form IPSA (Independent Parliamentary Standards Association) did not provide any other explanation that could be used.”