‘Simples!’ Theresa May quotes Aleksandr the Meerkat during Commons Brexit debate

Theresa May caused uproar in the House of Commons and on Twitter on Tuesday when she quoted a TV meerkat.

When making a point about Brexit, the prime minster channelled Aleksandr Meerkat, the star of the Compare the Market adverts, by quoting his catchphrase.

She ended a response to an MP’s question with the meerkat’s phrase, “Simples”.

The quote led to howls of derision in Parliament and howls of laughter on Twitter.

During the debate, Mrs May was asked by SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford why the clock was still being run down on Brexit.

She replied: “We are in talks with the EU and we’re talking about the issues this House required.

“If he wants to end the uncertainty and deal with the issues he raised, then he should vote for a deal. Simples.”

Mrs May was ridiculed for her quote on Twitter.

ITV political editor Robert Peston wrote: “Why oh why did @theresa_may say “simples” to @IanBlackfordMP. Profoundly upsetting”.

Politicians said they were “stunned” by the quote, with Labour MP Rupa Huq tweeting: “Theresa Meerkat just stunned the Commons by Maybot malfunction in stating it’s her deal or no deal then concluding ‘simples’.”

Labour MP Liz McInnes said on Twitter: “Yes, Theresa May did just respond ‘Simples’ in the Brexit statement. Theresa Meerkat is now in charge. God help us.”

Sharon Hodgson, a Labour MP, said: “Really can’t believe the PM has just said her Brexit plan is ‘Simples!’ Well that’s one word for it!”

Mrs May promised to give MPs a vote on extending Brexit negotiations or withdrawing from the EU without a deal if her plan is rejected next month.

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She confirmed that she will put her Withdrawal Agreement – including whatever additional assurances she has secured from Brussels – to a “meaningful vote” by March 12.

If that fails, MPs will be offered two separate votes on the following days – one on a no-deal Brexit and, if that is defeated, the other on requesting an extension to the two-year Article 50 negotiation process to delay EU withdrawal beyond March 29.

The sequence of votes will be proposed in an amendable motion tabled by the prime minister for debate and vote in the Commons on Wednesday.

To uproar in the Commons, Mrs May told MPs: “They are commitments I am making as prime minister and I will stick by them, as I have previous commitments to make statements and table amendable motions by specific dates.”

But she added: “Let me be clear, I do not want to see Article 50 extended. Our absolute focus should be on working to get a deal and leaving on March 29.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said that Mrs May appeared to be adopting the terms of a cross-party amendment put forward by Yvette Cooper and Sir Oliver Letwin designed to prevent no-deal if her Withdrawal Agreement is voted down on March 12.

But he told MPs: “Until the prime minister is clear what alternative she would put forward in that circumstance, then she is continuing to run down the clock. She promises a short extension but for what?”