THE DUP's Gregory Campbell has stressed the need to "keep our discipline" on the proper wearing of face coverings after he was pictured with one around his chin.
Mr Campbell urged people to "keep safe, don't let your guard down" and to "own up when you do like I'm doing".
The East Derry MP posted the message on Facebook after a photo emerged of him in Heathrow Airport with his face mask pulled down and not covering his nose and mouth.
A member of the public who took the photograph told BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show he saw Mr Campbell incorrectly wearing his mask for around 15 minutes.
In England, people can be fined if they do not wear a face covering in an airport.
Mr Campbell said online: "Just a reminder folks of the need to keep our face coverings on. I know it can be difficult to do it every time you're supposed to.
"I understand a picture is on social media of me with face covering down on my chin. We all need to keep our discipline to get through the pandemic. It's too serious for an entertainment programme.
"Keep safe, don't let your guard down, own up when you do like I'm doing. There's enough people letting their mask slip without me joining them."
It's not the first time a DUP MP has been scrutinised over the wearing of face masks amid the Covid-19 crisis.
In September, Sammy Wilson faced criticism after a photo emerged of him on board a London tube train reading a magazine without wearing a face covering.
The East Antrim MP later acknowledged he should have had a mask on.
However, he said it was "sad that we have now become like East Germany under the Stasi where members of the public think it is acceptable to act as snoops".
