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Laurence Fox provokes anger with 'mask exemption' badge bought online

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18:   Laurence Fox attends the Walpole British Luxury Awards 2019 at The Dorchester on November 18, 2019 in London, England.  (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Walpole)
Laurence Fox has angered people with his latest COVID post (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Walpole)

Laurence Fox has provoked another angry reaction to his coronavirus pandemic behaviour, this time by showing off a mask exemption badge he bought online.

The Lewis actor posted a selfie on Twitter with him wearing the mask exemption lanyard, which claimed “I am exempt from wearing a face covering”.

He tweeted: “After a long period of consultation with myself, an extended review period and proper due diligence conducted with myself, I’ve received the badge that I ordered from Amazon. Thank you for being there for me. #anxiety”

But the photo did not go down well, as people accused him of helping to continue the spread of the virus and making a mockery of the real exemption badges.

One of those annoyed by his latest post was Conservative MP Simon Hoare, who held nothing back in his response to Fox.

Read more: Piers Morgan tells Laurence Fox ‘you’re losing the plot’

He tweeted: “I hadn’t realised that being a first class, ocean going, chateau bottled, nuclear powered p***k was an exemption from wearing a mask.

“What a selfish loathsome tool this man is.”

Laurence Fox attending the 65th Evening Standard Theatre Awards at the London Coliseum, London. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images)
Laurence Fox has bought a mask exemption badge (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images)

Fox complained to Hoare: “You have never met me. You have no looking glass into my lived experience. To demean, discriminate and bully someone from your Government account has caused deep hurt to those close to me. I hope you use this opportunity to educate yourself.”

But the MP wasn’t the only one offended by Fox’s new lanyard.

One person tweeted: “My little boy has a sunflower lanyard because of his autism. It really helps us when in public places. You wearing this similar lanyard diminishes them in the eyes of others. Just thought you should know this. Btw - my son wears his mask as he wants to keep others safe. He’s 7.”

Another commenter wrote: “My son who was on a leukaemia ward caught Cv19 on his ward in hospital. It put him into Intensive Care. He was 13 and is no longer with us.

“This is not about you. It is about protecting the elderly and vulnerable. Be thankful that you cannot know my anger about your words.”

Many others questioned why Fox would be exempt, whether his claim of anxiety would stop him from wearing a mask, and why he wouldn’t help to protect more vulnerable people.

One person even called on the police to have a word with Fox about his actions.

Fox has previously caused outrage by hosting a large lunch for a group of friends during the second lockdown, where he said they had shared hugs over a long meal.

At the time, there was a ban on meeting indoors and entering other people’s houses.

Watch: Piers Morgan slams Laurence Fox for breaking lockdown guidelines