After more than a year of the coronavirus pandemic, most of us have become used to working from home by now.

That’s more than 12 months of video calls, being told you’re not on mute, and out-of-control arguments such as the infamous Handforth Parish Council Zoom.

But for those of us who have messed up, at least we can remind ourselves we’re not an MP…

One Canadian member of Parliament, William Amos, became Zoom’s latest victim of awkward moments when he found himself in a compromising position in front of his colleagues.

Mr Amos, who has represented the Quebec district of Pontiac since 2015, appeared on the screens of his House of Commons colleagues stark naked yesterday.

A screenshot, obtained by The Canadian Press, shows Mr Amos standing behind a desk between the Quebec and Canadian flags.

His private parts are hidden by what appears to be a mobile phone in one hand.

In a statement, Mr Amos apologised for the ‘unintentional distraction’.

A screenshot shows Mr Amos standing behind a desk between the Quebec and Canadian flags, with his private parts hidden by what appears to be a mobile phone (Picture: Parliament Canada)
‘This was an unfortunate error,’ he wrote in an email, ‘My video was accidentally turned on as I was changing into my work clothes after going for a jog.

I made a really unfortunate mistake today & obviously I’m embarrassed by it. My camera was accidentally left on as I changed into work clothes after going for a jog. I sincerely apologize to all my colleagues in the House. It was an honest mistake + it won’t happen again.

William Amos

Mr Amos, who is the parliamentary secretary to Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, was visible only to Parliament members and staffers on an internal video conference feed.

Because he was not speaking, his image did not show up on the feed which could be watched by the public.

Claude DeBellefeuille, a legislator for the opposition Bloc Quebecois party, suggested in a point of order that parliamentary decorum requires male Parliament members to wear a jacket and tie — and a shirt, underwear and trousers.

saphiere:
Men and stupidity are like 1&2

saphiere:
Men and stupidity are like 1&2