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Jacob Rees-Mogg Criticised For His Body Language During Key Brexit Debate

Jacob Rees-Mogg Criticised For His Body Language During Key Brexit Debate

The Leader of the House was slouched back in his chair as his colleagues presented their arguments

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

The Leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg, has attracted widespread criticism and derision from his fellow Members of Parliament for his demeanour during this evening's critical Brexit debate.

After speaking his piece, Rees-Mogg sat looking disinterested, splayed out across several seats on the front bench - which is itself relatively new territory to the North East Somerset MP - and looking disinterested in his colleagues' speeches.

Labour's MP for Redcar, Anna Turley, wrote on Twitter that Rees-Mogg was 'the physical embodiment of arrogance, entitlement, disrespect and contempt for our Parliament'.

BBC

Speaking in the debate, Green Party leader and MP for Brighton Pavilion Caroline Lucas said: "The Leader of the House, who I have to say with his body language this evening, has been so contemptuous of this house.

"And for the benefit of Hansard, the Leader of the House has been spread across three seats, lying out as if that was something very boring for him to listen to tonight."

The Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake added: "Perhaps it would be possible to get the Leader of the House a pillow to make him more comfortable?"

In some circumstances when the House of Commons is particularly boisterous, like this evening, it isn't uncommon for MPs to sit back in their seats in order to avail of the speakers installed in the back of the benches.

However, it looked like Rees-Mogg was sitting back in disinterest and his ears were actually further away from a speaker than if he'd just remained sitting upright.

BBC

Whether or not Rees-Mogg was listening, Boris Johnson's government ended up losing the evening's crucial vote by 27 votes, the ayes with 328 votes to the noes' 301.

In the immediate aftermath the Prime Minister, who has yet to win a vote in Parliament, said that he will table a motion for a general election if MPs - who have now seized control of the Parliamentary agenda - vote to block No Deal Brexit and delay the Brexit deadline beyond 31 October, in the event that a deal cannot be agreed.

Johnson said: "The leader of the opposition has been begging for an election for two years.

"I don't want an election but if MPs vote tomorrow to compel another pointless delay to Brexit then that would be the only way to resolve this."

BBC

As the result of the vote was called out, an MP shouted out: "Not a good start Boris!"

We'll have to wait until tomorrow to see how it develops.

Featured Image Credit: BBC

Topics: uk news, brexit, politics