Jacob Rees-Mogg admits laying down in Commons was 'mistake'

Jacob Rees-Mogg has admitted that reclining in the front bench of the Commons while taking questions during a Brexit debate was a “mistake”.

Images of the Leader of the House went viral after he lay across seating as he participated in a debate with other MPs about Britain’s future outside of the EU.

Asked on Wednesday night if his behaviour was acceptable, Mr Rees-Mogg replied: “In hindsight I think not.”

He did point out that historically ministers rested their feet on the table and joked that he was “restoring an ancient tradition”. But, speaking at a Daily Telegraph event, he added: “I do accept it was a mistake.”

He said that he was trying to get comfortable, but that, on reflection, it was not worth “distracting from the importance of what was going on”.

Mr Rees-Mogg was criticised by both sides of the House for his body language during the debate on September 3.

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas described it as contemptuous.

Addressing him in the Commons, Ms Lucas added: "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."