Until recently, fans of the MP for North East Somerset have always been happy with his image, variously characterised as "Dickensian Workhouse Inspector" or "Early Victorian Undertaker". But experts say he is getting careless. "His waistcoat is a glaring anachronism", complains Rees-Mogg watcher Stephen Reynolds of Kent. "It's clearly an Edwardian design. I have to say I'm disappointed. It's like seeing someone using a smartphone in a film of Oliver Twist".
Mr Rees-Mogg has apologised. "I don't know how I failed to spot such an appalling wardrobe gaffe", he says. "I just haven't been myself lately. I blame that bad batch of laudanum I've been taking for my gout. But rest assured I've had my tailor transported and it won't happen again". However, there are rumours of an even bigger scandal in the making. Sources close to the MP have revealed that his six-year-old chimney sweep is not a Cockney urchin but a Polish immigrant.
Image: 1195798 - Pixabay