A Canadian MP has apologised after walking into a parliamentary video call completely in the nude
Canadian Member of Parliament William Amos could be seen walking into shot of his Zoom camera in between a Canadian and Quebec flag.
Luckily, he was on his mobile phone at the time, so his colleagues couldn’t see his own *ahem* members of parliament.
But it wasn’t long before eagle-eyed viewers took to social media to question what they’d just seen.
Anyone recognize this MP wandering around in the buff in their office while taking part in the hybrid Parliament? Obviously, given the flag, they are from Quebec. Wonder what kind of mobile phone he uses? #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/HWOeR9ZJBV
— Brian Lilley (@brianlilley) April 14, 2021
Brian Lilley, a columnist based in Toronto, said: ‘Anyone recognise this MP wandering around in the buff in their office while taking part in the hybrid Parliament?
‘Obviously, given the flag, they are from Quebec. Wonder what kind of mobile phone he uses?’
It wasn’t long before Mr Amos identified himself on Twitter, saying: ‘I made a really unfortunate mistake today and obviously I’m embarrassed by it.
‘My camera was accidentally left on as I changed into work clothes after going for a jog. I sincerely apologise to all my colleagues in the House. It was an honest mistake and it won’t happen again.’
I made a really unfortunate mistake today & obviously I’m embarrassed by it. My camera was accidentally left on as I changed into work clothes after going for a jog. I sincerely apologize to all my colleagues in the House. It was an honest mistake + it won’t happen again.
— William Amos (@WillAAmos) April 14, 2021
Fellow Liberal party member Mark Holland said Mr Amos was ‘mortified’, as reported by the Daily Mirror.
He added: ‘It’s certainly an unfortunate circumstance. This is a warning to everybody. You’ve got to really always assume that camera is on and be very careful any time you wander anywhere near that camera that you’re dressed appropriately.’
Amos’ party whip Claude DeBellefeuille had a slightly more stern message after the incident, reminding Parliament:
It may be necessary to remind the members, especially the male ones, that a tie and jacket are obligatory, but so are a shirt, boxer shorts or pants. We have seen that the member is in great physical shape, but I think members should be reminded to be careful and control the camera well.
I think it’s fair to say this isn’t the first time we’ve seen a blunder of this kind since the beginning of the pandemic, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.