Jacob Rees-Mogg mocks Labour defection invite | Politics | News [Video]

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has mocked a senior Labour adviser who invited him to follow the example of defecting MP Natalie Elphicke by joining Sir Keir Starmer’s party – tartly observing: “I am not quite old enough to go into the House of Lords”.

The staunch Brexiteer has also admitted his amazement at what he called Ms Elphicke’s “extraordinary” decision – as well as taking a swipe at fellow defector Dan Poulter, who crossed the floor of the House of Commons last week.

Sir Jacob was singled out by John McTernan during an interview with BBC journalist Kirsty Wark on Newsnight last night as the one Tory MP he would like his party to recruit next.

Mr McTernan, who served as former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Director of Political Operations from 2005 to 2007, was quizzed about Sir Keir’s controversial decision to welcome Dover MP Ms Elphicke into the fold.

Asked to name …