World

Rishi Sunak Criticised by Former Tory MP for Inadequate Face Covering

The United Kingdom has introduced new measures to generate economic activity and help businesses hurt by the lockdown introduced amid the coronavirus pandemic. Chancellor Rishi Sunak has introduced a VAT cut to help lower prices and encourage demand.
Sputnik

Rishi Sunak was criticised on social media by a former prominent Tory MP for a photo the Chancellor posted to his Twitter page on Wednesday.

In a post intended to promote the government jobs plan for struggling business, Sunak can be seen wearing a strangely modified face mask as he exits a Pret A Manger store.

​A former mayoral and Conservative leadership candidate, Rory Stewart, was quick to point out the glaring error that Sunak's face covering has holes in it and therefore is not a sufficient preventative measure.

​Freelance journalist Jules Mattsone also identified the face mask problem.

​Netizens also caught the issue.

​Other users joked that Sunak's mask was 'Bluetooth' in reference to a high-tech self-heating coffee mug he was seen with last week before the announcement of the mini-budget.

​It was also pointed out that the government's new scheme to reduce VAT on food would not apply to his takeaway order.

​This comes as the British government has introduced legislation making wearing masks compulsory in shops and supermarkets across England from the 24 July.

The United Kingdom began to reopen shops, pubs, and restaurants earlier in July as the lockdown measures first introduced to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic were lifted.

Discuss