MPs chastise Jacob Rees-Mogg for showing ‘contempt for parliament’ by not sitting up

MPs have criticised the Brexiteer leader of the Commons for not sitting up during the debate on an emergency motion that could allow politicians to stop a no-deal Brexit.

Jacob Rees-Mogg during a debate in 2017. Photograph: TNE/Parliament TV. - Credit: Archant

A photograph of Jacob Rees-Mogg sprawled out across three seats was posted to Twitter by Labour MP Anna Turley.

She accompanied the picture with the message: "The physical embodiment of arrogance, entitlement, disrespect and contempt for our parliament."

Her criticisms were echoed by Green MP Caroline Lucas in the chamber, as she addressed Rees-Mogg during her speech.

She said: "There has been a lot of talk about democracy tonight from the leader of the House of the House, who I have to say with his body language this evening has been so contemptious and of the people. And for the benefit of Hansard, the leader of the House has been spread out across three seats, lying out as if it was something boring to listen to tonight.

"Well can I just say to him when he's been lecturing us on democracy, we will have none of it."

MPs then continued to heckle Rees-Mogg by telling him to "sit up!" as the perplexed politician looked on with bafflement.

Shadow transport minister and Labour MP, Karl Turner, tweeted: "As a working class bloke brought up on a council estate in Hull I always feel enormous pride and gratitude when I go into the chamber of the House of Commons to represent east Hull.

"I've never felt a sense of entitlement. This is what that looks like!?"

MORE: Jacob Rees-Mogg's disregard for parliament has become an instant meme

SNP MP Gavin Newlands added: "Jacob Rees-Mogg is literally going for a (u)kip on the front bench. I just asked him if I should call his footman to get him a pillow. He politely declined."

Lib Dem MP Sarah Wollaston questioned if Mr Rees-Mogg had "lost the ability to sit up" or if the move was "just bad manners".

Angela Rayner, shadow secretary of state for education said: "I am half expecting his nanny to march into the chamber with a blanket, pillow and a hot cup of Horlicks for the poor man!"

Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle Central and shadow minister for industrial strategy, tweeted that MPs needed to "take back control".

She said: "Johnson, Rees-Mogg and their ilk literally think Parliament is their manor and they can do what they like with it."

Earlier in the evening he had accused Oliver Letwin, who tabled the emergency debate motion, of "stunning arrogance", and likened supporters of the bill to the "illuminati who are taking the powers to themselves".

It is not the first time Rees-Mogg has been witnessed in this position with The New European snapping the politician doing the same during debates as a backbench MP, but it is not a good look for someone now operating as the leader of the Commons.