Bloc MP apologizes for taking screenshot of naked House of Commons colleague
Sébastien Lemire said he doesn't know how the image leaked to the media
A Bloc Québécois member of Parliament has apologized for taking a screenshot of his colleague while he was naked during online House of Commons proceedings.
Sébastien Lemire, who represents the Quebec riding of Abitibi—Témiscamingue, apologized on Wednesday to Will Amos, whose riding of Pontiac borders Lemire's riding.
The incident occurred on April 14, when Amos said that he had mistakenly left his camera on in his office while changing into his work clothes after a run. He subsequently apologized.
Amos appeared on a video feed that's accessible only to MPs and House of Commons staff. Government House Leader Pablo Rodriguez called for the Speaker of the House of Commons to launch an investigation in response to the incident.
"I personally apologized to him, but also wanted to do so publicly, to him personally, to his family, to his colleagues and anyone I may have offended," Lemire said in French.
WATCH | Bloc MP apologizes for taking screenshot of naked colleague:
Lemire said he doesn't know how the image was leaked to the media.
Mark Holland, the government whip, said he welcomed Lemire's apology and accepted his claim that he did not share the photo with the media himself. But he said many questions are still unanswered.
"Among them: Did Mr. Lemire share this photo with anyone? Who sent this image to the media, which was subsequently shared all over the world? How did this private, non-consensual image get from Mr. Lemire's phone to those outlets with such speed?" Holland said.
Holland said taking a photo of parliamentary proceedings and then sharing it is a violation of House of Commons rules and regulations. Whoever shared the photo with the media engaged in a "potential criminal act," he said.
"I will raise this issue at a meeting of the Board of Internal Economy," Holland said, referring to the governing body of the House.
"What has occurred here breaks all bounds of reasonable action, and the responsible party must be held to account."