JACOB Rees-Mogg was described as the “physical embodiment of arrogance” and “entitlement” after he sprawled out across the front bench of the Commons last night during an emergency debate brought as part of measures to stop a No-Deal Brexit.

A photograph of the hardliner spread out over three seats was posted to Twitter by Labour MP Anna Turley, who said it was: “The physical embodiment of arrogance, entitlement, disrespect and contempt for our parliament.”

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

She said: “There has been a lot of talk about democracy tonight, and the leader of the House, who I have to say with his body language this evening has been so contemptuous 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 heckled Rees-Mogg by telling him to “sit up!” as the perplexed Tory government minister looked on with bafflement.

Earlier in the evening, the leader of the Commons had accused Oliver Letwin, who tabled the emergency debate motion, of “stunning arrogance” and likened those wanting to take control of the order paper to the “illuminati who are taking the powers to themselves”.

He added: “It is not, however, for Parliament to undertake the role and functions of the executive.

“Constitutional convention is that executive power is exercised by Her Majesty’s Government which has the democratic mandate to govern.

“That mandate is derived from the British people and represented through this House.

“When we look at this constitution we are protected by our rules and our orders and by our conventions.”

The Commons leader added: “It is those rules, those laws, those conventions that protect us from the winds of tyranny.”

SNP MP David Linden asked whether or not the Government would not stop an anti-No Deal law getting Royal Assent. Rees-Mogg replied: “The law will be followed.

“This country is a country that follows the rule of law and its government assiduously follows constitutional conventions, unlike some other members of this House.”

During the exchanges, Rees-Mogg said the approach taken by MPs was “the most unconstitutional use of this House since the days of Charles Stewart Parnell when he tried to bung up Parliament.”

Later, the SNP MP Tommy Sheppard warned the Government that Scottish independence “was coming down the track”.

He said that ahead of a General Election the SNP would be “explaining to the people of Scotland that this is their chance to consider having a different course of action than the one they are being lead down by the Prime Minister”.

He added: “I am confident that when we go to the people of Scotland so many more than every before will understand the attractiveness of having political independence over their own affairs and be able to control in Britain, the Europe and the world and I warn the Government to be aware of it.”

During a heated debate, independent MP Nick Boles called for Tory MPs to cross the floor and join him on the opposition benches. He said: “To those brave souls on the Conservative benches who face expulsion from the party for voting for the motion today, I say this: your country needs you. Do what you know to be right.”