HUNDREDS of thousands of people saw New Forest MP Sir Desmond Swayne sleeping soundly in the House of Commons during a debate on Tuesday.

BBC Politics tweeted images to its 429,000 followers of the long-standing Conservative MP slumped to one side as Ken Clarke MP launched into a speech on EU rights.

Despite Mr Clarke promising to make his speech short, 61-year-old Desmond Swayne was asleep within around a minute. The full speech lasted for 11 minutes.

Mr Swayne was sitting directly behind Mr Clarke and was therefore in full view of the cameras. He awoke with a start and carried on listening to Mr Clarke's speech.

The video sparked hundreds of comments on social media.

Sir Desmond, who is paid £75,000-a-year as an MP, breaks into a smile as he wakes.

The MP told the Echo: “One minute I was listening intently to the debate and the next moment I had no recollection of what happened.”

Sir Desmond said he had received three texts from colleagues telling him to wake up.

“I apologise profusely” said Sir Desmond, who said he meant no disrespect to Mr Clarke.