Boris Johnson criticised for sitting maskless next to ‘national treasure’ Sir David Attenborough at COP26

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.

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.

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