OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) – A Canadian MP was caught naked during a virtual meeting of the House of Commons.
William Amos, who has been representing the Quebec district of Pontiac since 2015, appeared completely naked on the screens of his fellow lawmakers on Wednesday. The pandemic has led many Canadian lawmakers to participate in video conference sessions rather than in person.
A screenshot obtained by The Canadian Press shows Amos standing behind a desk between the Quebec and Canadian flags, his genitals hidden by what looks like a cell phone in one hand.
“This was an unfortunate mistake,” Amos said in an emailed statement. My video was accidentally turned on when I was changing into my work clothes after going for a jog. I sincerely apologize to my colleagues in the House of Commons for this inadvertent distraction. Obviously it was a genuine mistake and it will not happen again. “
Claude DeBellefeuille, a lawmaker from the opposition Bloc Québécois party, raised the incident at a point of order after the question period, suggesting that parliamentary decorum requires male MPs to wear a jacket and tie – and a shirt, underwear and pants.
Speaker Anthony Rota later thanked DeBellefeuille for her “observations” and clarified that although he had not seen anything, he contacted technicians and confirmed that they saw something. He reminded lawmakers to always be vigilant when near a camera and microphone.
Amos, Parliamentary Secretary to Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, was only visible to MPs and staff members at an internal video meeting. Since he did not speak, his image did not appear on the public feed.
Liberal Party colleague Mark Holland said Amos was “utterly hurt.” Holland said he was satisfied with his colleague’s explanation.
‘I don’t think there were any bad intentions. It is certainly an unfortunate circumstance, ″ said Holland.
“This is a warning to everyone,” added Holland. “You really have to always assume that the camera is on, and anytime you wander around that camera you have to be very careful that you are properly dressed.”
Asked if he will issue a warning to all liberal lawmakers along those lines, Holland said, “ Oh, big time. ″