Politics

Sammy Wilson labelled ‘narcissistic fool’ over tweet mocking NI Covid curbs

Lockdown critic tweeted version of Hark The Herald Angels Sing over fresh restrictions

Northern Ireland First Minister Paul Givan, Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Health Minister Robin Swann have announced a series of new Covid-19 restrictions after the North recorded its highest daily number of new infections. Video: PA
Thu Dec 23 2021 - 00:35

A senior DUP MP has been branded “moronic” after adapting a Christmas carol to criticise Northern Ireland’s Minister for Health over Covid-19 curbs.

Sammy Wilson, a vocal lockdown critic, tweeted his version of Hark The Herald Angels Sing after fresh Covid-19 restrictions were announced by the Stormont Executive.

The measures were backed by Mr Wilson's own party, with DUP First Minister Paul Givan joining deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill of Sinn Féin and Minister for Health Robin Swann, of the Ulster Unionist Party, to announce steps that included the closure of nightclubs and bolstered restrictions on hospitality and workplaces.

"Hark the herald angels ping," the East Antrim MP tweeted.

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“Robin Swann won’t let us do a thing. No more parties, work at home. In the streets you cannot roam

“Omni is far worse than the delta curse. Stay at home. Or they’ll be far worse to come.”

Mr Swann's party leader Doug Beattie condemned Mr Wilson. He said: "Juvenile, pathetic, moronic, self indulgent, narcissistic fool who jokes as people get sick, as people die, as families grieve. Northern Ireland Deserves Better."

It is the latest in a line of controversies involving Mr Wilson during the pandemic.

The veteran MP has been accused on several occasions of undermining his own party’s position on public health measures to combat Covid-19.

Last month, as he announced his intent to vote against new coronavirus restrictions in England, he adapted another Christmas carol as he described the Omicron variant as "mild".

“Ding dong merrily on high will be replaced this Christmas by ping-dong miserably we sigh,” he tweeted.

“I will vote against new restrictions in Parliament today. They are not proportionate to deal with the spread of the mild omicron variant.”

Challenged about the tweet, DUP party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson insisted that Covid-19 was "no joking matter".

Dr Alan Stout, the chair of the British Medical Association's GP committee in Northern Ireland, also condemned Mr Wilson's latest tweet.

“Thoroughly disrespectful to so many and nothing short of pathetic. Sadly not unexpected,” he said. – PA