Noel Gallagher says he refuses to wear a face mask while shopping, as he goes against laws brought in during the pandemic to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The former Oasis guitarist said he had been challenged in a shop for not wearing one and a person on a train also said he should use one.

Wearing a face covering over your nose and mouth is mandatory by law in all UK shops and supermarkets.

There are exemptions for children under 11 and people with health issues.

‘Too many f***ing liberties taken away from us’: former Oasis songwriter Noel Gallagher rejects UK mask mandate — RT UK News https://t.co/60EhwOoLxI #

— Jim Corr (@Jimcorrsays) September 16, 2020

Speaking on The Matt Morgan podcast, Gallagher called the UK policy of wearing face coverings in shops but not pubs and restaurants "b*******", adding: "It's not a law.

"There's too many f****** liberties being taken away from us now."

Face coverings are also compulsory on public transport.

Gallagher explained how he refused to wear a covering on a train journey recently to Manchester.

The musician said: "I was going up to Manchester the other week and some guy's going 'can you put your mask on, on the train, because the transport police will get on and fine you £1,000.

"But you don't have to put it on if you're eating'."

"So I was saying, 'Oh right, this killer virus that's sweeping through the train is going to come and attack me but it's going to see me having a sandwich and go leave him, he's having his lunch?'"

FAB!@NoelGallagher talking sense on masks...

"I choose not to wear one... It's a p**take. There's no need..

"There's too many liberties being taken away from us nowhttps://t.co/8Uz7fJJkADhttps://t.co/Lqm5q8LFaf #StandUpX #SaveOurRights #EarthUnited #Build26Sep TrafSq 12pm

— Piers Corbyn (@Piers_Corbyn) September 16, 2020

And Gallagher said he was challenged for not wearing a mask in a shop and demanded to know who the manager was.

The guitarist added: "I choose not to wear one and if I get the virus it's on me, it's not on anyone else.

"If every other c**** wearing a mask I'm not going to catch it off them, and if I've got it then they're not going to catch it off me.

"I think it's a p***take. There's no need for it."

He said the science said they were "pointless" but this was disputed by Morgan.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said they should be worn in public where social distancing is not possible to help stop the spread.

How children can wear a #mask safely!😷👇🏿

Children must clean their hands🧼👐🏿💧 and maintain a safe distance📏 to stop the spread of #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/gqjzTODdl5

— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) September 16, 2020

And scientists at Duke University in the US have said masks were found to be one of the most effective tools at slowing down the transmission of coronavirus.

His brother Liam Gallagher recently said wearing a mask has "gotta be done" but he admitted he did not like them.

Earlier this month, Ian Brown faced a backlash after one of his tweets appeared to suggest he was against coronavirus vaccines, lockdowns and face masks.

The former Stone Roses frontman, 57, sparked outrage when he posted: "NO LOCKDOWN NO TESTS NO TRACKS NO MASKS NO VAX #researchanddestroy."

Fellow musicians and other Twitter users said they were "gutted" Brown was apparently supporting "anti-vaxxer" (anti-vaccine) views.