Is this the moment Tory leadership hopeful Theresa May nods off during Chilcot debate?
The Home Secretary's eyelids droop and her head rocks forward as David Cameron speaks in the House of Commons
THIS is the moment Tory party leadership front runner Theresa May appears to nod off during a House of Commons debate on the Chilcot report.
Viewers claimed the Home Secretary’s campaign to be the next prime minister could be taking its toll as her head slumped forward on live television.
She sat behind David Cameron on the front bench as he addressed MPs on the findings of Sir John Chilcot’s long-awaited inquiry into the Iraq War yesterday.
As she listens to the PM’s words, Mrs May’s eyelids droop heavily before her head rocks forward toward her chest.
The jolt seems to snap her awake and she then spends a few moments looking up to the ceiling apparently in an effort to fight to sleepy urge.
Twitter users watching on TV were quick to point out her “nodding dog” moment.
Ali Richards said: “Is Theresa May asleep? Oh she’s woken up now! Napping whilst Cameron speaks what next?”
Security analyst Chris Schofield wrote: “Simply amazed that Theresa May is falling asleep during the statement. She’s supposed to be the next Prime Minister.”
Political journalist Ian Dunt tweeted: “Becoming quite irritated by Theresa May looking half asleep on front bench. She voted for war. Can listen to the consequences of her error.”
Mr Cameron began a two-day House of Commons debate on the Chilcot Report, which accused Tony Blair of basing the case for war on flawed intelligence and sending in troops poorly equipped.
Mrs May is leading the race to take over from Mr Cameron after he quit in the wake of the Brexit vote.
She won 165 votes in Tuesday’s ballot – half the 330 Tory MPs – way ahead of rivals Andrea Leadsom on 66 and Michael Gove on 48.
Fifth placed Liam Fox was eliminated and fourth placed Stephen Crabb dropped out of the contest.
MPs will vote again tonight to choose the final two candidates to be put to the 140,000 party members before the new leader is installed on September 9.
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