ANOTHER CAMERA MISHAP FOR MP.
• Liberal MP William Amos says he is seeking assistance after he was caught urinating on camera during House of Commons proceedings, less than two months after appearing completely naked on a similar feed during question period.
“Last night, while attending House of Commons proceedings virtually, in a non-public setting, I urinated without realizing I was on camera. I am deeply embarrassed by my actions and the distress they may have caused anybody who witnessed them,” Amos wrote on a statement on social media late on Thursday night.
“While accidental and not visible to the public, this was completely unacceptable, and I apologize unreservedly.”
Amos also said he would be “temporarily” stepping down from his role as parliamentary secretary to Innovation, Science and Industry Minister François-philippe Champagne and his seat on the Veterans Affairs committee.
In the meantime, he also said he would “seek assistance,” though his statement offered no explanation as to what he would be seeking help for. An email to his office Thursday evening went unanswered.
The Conservatives say the incident was “shocking, reckless” and an “affront to the dignity” of the House of Commons.
Conservative MP Karen Vecchio, deputy House leader for the Opposition, said Amos's act put lawmakers “in a very uncomfortable position” and amounted to Amos relieving himself in the Commons itself.
Carol Hughes, acting as speaker, says she will review the situation and come back with a response to the House.
This is the second improper appearance on House of Commons cameras for Amos, who last month caused a significant stir when he appeared naked on the same internal parliamentary camera feed during question period.
A picture of the incident, where Amos' privates are covered by what appears to be a well-placed cellphone, was then widely circulated by media across the world. Amos apologized and explained that he had just returned from a jog and was changing in his office, where he was certain his laptop webcam was off.
Bloc Québécois MP Sébastien Lemire has since admitted that he took the picture of the internal video feed (which is only visible to other MPS attending the virtual proceedings) and apologized.
But Liberal Whip Mark Holland has pushed the all-party board of internal economy to further investigate how the picture made its way from Lemire to the media.
That board was set to meet again earlier Thursday, but the meeting was postponed.