an Ulster loyalist mural which equated the IRA and Sinn Féin to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. In 2018, he argued against the suspension of his party colleague Ian Paisley Jr from the Westminster Parliament, after he was punished for accepting family holidays paid for by the government of Sri Lanka while speaking in favour of the regime in the House of Commons. In March 2019, Wilson was one of 21 MPs who voted against LGBT inclusive sex and relationship education in English schools. Wilson was photographed on the London Underground without a face mask amid the COVID-19 pandemic in September 2020. Minister for the Environment (2008–2009) On 9 June 2008, Wilson joined the Northern Ireland Executive as Minister of the Environment. His appointment and tenure as Environment Minister were criticised by some environmental groups. Wilson rejects the scientific consensus on climate change. He has stated that man-made climate change is a "myth based on dodgy science". Wilson says that "reasoned debate must replace the scaremongering of the green climate alarmists" and "resources should be used to adapt to the consequences of climate change, rather than King Canute-style vainly trying to stop it". This, along with his opposition to the creation of an independent environmental protection agency and his support for nuclear power, led the Green Party to condemn Wilson's "deeply irresponsible message" and give him the 'Green Wash' award for being the MLA most likely to damage the environment. Wilson's beliefs on climate change have been likened to "a cigarette salesman denying that smoking causes cancer" by John Woods of Friends of the Earth, who added that "Ironically, if we listen to him Northern Ireland will suffer economically as we are left behind by smarter regions who are embracing the low carbon economy of the future". Wilson came under renewed criticism in February 2009 when he blocked the broadcast of climate change advertisements on television, calling them part of an "insidious propaganda campaign". He also stated "that future ecological messages could only be promoted in Northern Ireland with his permission". New Scientist magazine stated that despite the minister's comments, "the overwhelming majority of scientists do agree that there is a greater than 90% chance that the rate at which we burn fossil fuels is driving climate change". Minister for Finance and Personnel (2009–2013) In the June 2009 Executive reshuffle, Wilson became Minister of Finance and Personnel.