Andrea Leadsom calls Jane Austen one of Britain's 'greatest living authors'

Andrea Leadsom was left red-faced earlier today after she called Jane Austen ‘our greatest living author’ – despite the Pride and Prejudice writer dying 200 years ago.

The embarrassing gaffe came as the leader of the House of Commons attempted to praise the celebrated author, who is set to feature on the new £10 note to mark the bicentenary of her death”.

‘I would just add one other great lady to that lovely list, who I am delighted to join in celebrating, and that’s that of Jane Austen, who will feature on the new £10 note, who I think is one of our greatest living authors.’

After receiving laughter from from both front beaches, she immediately corrected herself.

‘Greatest ever authors, and I think it’s fantastic that at last we are starting to recognise – well I think many of us probably wish she were still living – but I absolutely share the sentiment.’

The mistake was roundly mocked online, with Waterstones joking that they would be moving Jane Austen’s books into the Greatest Living Authors section.

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The author’s appearance on the bank note comes as the Bank of England prepares to replace all paper bank notes, having started in September last year with the introduction of the £5 bank note, followed by the £10 note and the £20 in 2020.