Boris Johnson has been criticised after sitting next to Sir David Attenborough at COP26 without wearing a face mask.
The Prime Minister is facing a backlash on social media after images emerged of him sitting next to the 95-year-old “national treasure” maskless at the UN climate summit in Glasgow on Monday.
When you’re sitting next to 95-year-old Sir David Attenborough and you *still* can’t be arsed to wear a mask.
— Rachel Clarke (@doctor_oxford) November 2, 2021
Or even stay awake. #COP26 pic.twitter.com/xrhXUMky2F
Palliative care doctor Rachel Clarke tweeted the photo with the caption: “When you’re sitting next to 95-year-old Sir David Attenborough and you *still* can’t be arsed to wear a mask. Or even stay awake. #COP26”.
The photograph soon attracted criticism online, with one person commenting: “So disrespectful and thoughtless. Masks are mandatory inside conference or exhibition centres when visiting Scotland. That’s a law.”
Another user added: “A total disrespect for not only the rules in Scotland but the fact that he is sitting next to a national treasure who wears his mask without question. “
In defence of the Prime Minister, one person said: “He is the father of an 18 month old baby with another on the way. Perhaps that explains the exhaustion.”
COP26 organisers have said ‘Blue Zone attendees’ - those in the UN-managed space which hosts the negotiations and is not open to all members of the public - should wear a face covering at all times, except when eating, drinking, sitting in office and meeting spaces or conducting negotiations; or if medically exempt.
Face coverings should be worn when sitting in theatre-style seating, a document outlining the event’s Covid-19 safety measures said.
Event speakers can also remove face coverings when delivering a speech or lecture, it added.
Face masks are not required to be worn during the World Leader Summit or when a speaker is seated on the podium.
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson said Boris Johnson “has abided by the Covid-19 guidance at COP26 throughout.
“Attendees and delegates are not required to wear a face mask when they are seated as per the COP26 guidance,” they added.
