Jacob Rees-Mogg slammed for ‘contemptuous’ body language as he reclines in seat during Brexit debate

Jacob Rees-Mogg has been slammed for his “contemptuous” body language as he reclined in his seat while MPs discussed plans to prevent a no-deal Brexit.

The Leader of the House was criticised for “lounging languidly” along the front bench during the debate in the Commons ahead of Boris Johnson’s defeat in a crunch vote on Tuesday evening.

He was seen reclining in the chamber, at times with his eyes closed, as MPs talked over to take control of the Commons agenda and pass legislation which would prevent the UK crashing out of the EU on October 31.

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas told the Brexiteer his body language was “so contemptuous of this House and of the people”.

Addressing him in the Commons, Ms Lucas added: “For the benefit of Hansard, the Leader of the House has been spread across around three seats, lying out as if that was something very boring for him to listen to tonight.”

Mr Rees-Mogg appeared to furrow his brow in disagreement in response.

As he laid back, Mr Rees-Mogg could be seen pressing his head against a speaker, a tactic often used by MPs attempting to more clearly hear debates in the chamber.

His apparent repose prompted heavy criticism on Twitter from political opponents.

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!?”

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.”

The MP’s horizontal pose also prompted some more light-hearted responses.

Labour Lord Stewart Wood joked that the pose resembled the cover for David Bowie’s album The Man Who Sold The World, while journalist Ash Percival referenced a famous scene featuring Kate Winslet in the film Titanic by tweeting the picture with the words: “Paint me like one of your French girls”.