Kemi Badenoch‘s remarks about Keir Starmer on ITV didn’t seem to shock viewers as much as a mouse which was seen scurrying across the screen during the live interview. Badenoch featured on the political programme Peston late yesterday evening (Wednesday, February 4) to discuss the government’s handling of Lord Peter Mandelson’s involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Nevertheless, viewers found themselves more preoccupied by a crafty mouse spotted darting out from beneath a desk in Badenoch’s Westminster office. Following questioning by presenter Robert Peston regarding Badenoch supporting a government amendment that could postpone the publication of the Mandelson files, Badenoch stated: “The important thing is the information comes out.”
Precisely as she began delivering remarks about how Starmer reversed course on submitting information to the Intelligence and Security Committee, the rodent appeared from underneath her desk.
The Tory politician appeared oblivious to the attention-grabbing intruder, yet viewers at home rushed to social media to highlight the pest.
Taking to X to comment on the moment, one person quipped: “That mouse timing absolutely made my day.” Another joked: “If she’s in the Houses of Parliament, it has long had a rodent problem.” Someone else said: “I rather suspect that was a small rat leaving a sinking ship.”
The jokes kept rolling in as one person said: “That was just another Tory defecting to Reform.” Another quipped: “That looks like Peter Mandelson sneaking out of the room thinking he could go unnoticed.”
A decade ago, The Mirror disclosed that Parliamentary authorities were spending £1,500 a week on pest control. The Foreign Office even welcomed a new cat into the premises, designating him “chief mouser”.
A UK Parliament spokesperson stated: “The parliamentary estate is a safe place to work, with robust hygiene processes in place.
“We are committed to maintaining a humane and ethical pest control programme, focused on preventative measures and the use of various control methods. We continue to follow all regulatory obligations.”