Speaking at Cadogan Hall in Belgravia last night in an event organised by The Daily Telegraph the Leader of the House of Commons has lavished praise on Nigel Farage – and even hinted at a possible future Government role for the Brexit Party leader. He did however play down the idea of a pact at the next general election.

Mr Rees-Mogg also admitted it was a “mistake” to be pictured leaning back on a House of Commons bench in the midst of a crucial Brexit debate earlier this month. “Sitting comfortably like that distracted from what was going on – and it upset Caroline Lucas too!”

“I don’t think we would have got to the position of having the 2016 referendum without him.”

“He is a very distinguished campaigner and a significant British statesman.

“He has changed the UK more than anybody who has never been in Parliament. I don’t mean the European Parliament, I mean a proper Parliament, the British Parliament.”

However he also insisted he had never considered joining UKIP – and when pressed on the idea of the Conservatives teaming up with the Brexit Party at the next election, Mr Rees-Mogg said that it should be avoided at all costs.

In closing however he also warned wavering Tories pondering the idea of casting a vote for Mr Farage’s outfit: “A vote for the Brexit Party is effectively a vote for the Labour Party.”