An MP’s cat made a hilarious appearance at his Zoom meeting today when he blocked the camera with his bushy tail.
John Nicolson, MP for Ochil and South Perthshire, had been taking part in the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee when Rojo sauntered past the screen with his striped tail on show.
The committee had been hearing from Dame Carolyn McCall, chief executive of ITV, about the future of public service broadcasting in the wake of the coronavirus health crisis.
Mr Nicolson was asking TV bosses why subtitles were not put on kids’ TV by default as it was proven to increase literacy, when an orange tail appeared on screen.
In a clip, the SNP politician, 59, continues to speak as Rojo’s bushy tail crosses the camera, interrupting briefly to apologise for the distraction.
John Nicolson, MP for Ochil and South Perthshire, had been taking part in the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee when Rojo sauntered past the screen
‘I apologise for my cat’s tail,’ he says, provoking laughter from those present in the meeting, before launching back into his discussion.
But the MP soon has to gently move Rojo’s tail away from the screen as the cat refuses to budge, telling him: ‘Rojo, put your tail down.’
Those in attendance laugh at the scene as the cat disappears from view.
The footage was posted to Twitter by Alain Tolhurst, who wrote: ‘Another classic entry for the Parliamentary cats on Zoom folder, this time @MrJohnNicolson at DCMS committee.’
Several viewers took to the comments of the clip, with one user writing: ‘I’ve heard of cats doing ‘zoomies’ but this is a whole other level of brilliant feline fiendishness.’
Another said: ‘We need more [Rojos] in this world!’
Rojo’s unexpected appearance is one of several hilarious blunders to have taken place during live broadcasts since the majority of Britons began working from home in March.
Trade expert Sally Jones was speaking to the EU Services Sub-Committee in June when her pet cat made its way into her office and onto her lap.
In a clip, Mr Nicolson, 59, is speaking to committee members as the feline ventures close to the screen, his orange and white striped tail in view
The MP soon has to gently move Rojo’s tail away from the screen as the cat refuses to budge, telling him: ‘Rojo, put your tail down’
Several viewers took to the comments of the clip, with one user writing: ‘I’ve heard of cats doing ‘zoomies’ but this is a whole other level of brilliant feline fiendishness’
While Ms Jones apologised for the animal, the intruder was welcomed by the other members of the committee, with Lord Cavendish saying: ‘Welcome cat.’
And it is not just Parliament that has seen feline interruptions. Tiger the cat was broadcast stealing a vicar’s milk during Canterbury Cathedral’s online prayer service on Monday morning.
Tiger is one of four cats at the Deanery, with another named Leo going viral a few weeks ago for disappearing into Dr Willis’ vestments during a service.
Viewers were also left in hysterics earlier this month when both Sky and BBC News had one of their interviews crashed by toddlers on the same day.
Dr Clare Wenham, from South London, had appeared on BBC News on July 1 to discuss the coronavirus crisis when her daughter Scarlett began rearranging a unicorn picture behind her.
She even struck up a conversation with the newsreader, asking ‘Mummy, what’s his name?’ midway through the interview.
‘My name is Christian,’ replied the newsreader.
Dr Clare Wenham, from South London , had appeared on BBC News on July 1 to discuss the coronavirus crisis when her daughter Scarlett began rearranging a unicorn picture behind her
Sky New’s Foreign Affairs editor Deborah apologised after her son entered the room in search of biscuits while she was being interviewed by presenter Mark Austin
Scarlett went on: ‘Christian, I’m just deciding where it can go and where mummy wants it to go.’
‘I think just on that shelf is great, thank you,’ said Dr Wenham, ‘I’m so sorry’.
The presenter remained in good spirits about the interview, joking that it was ‘the most informative interview I’ve done all day’.
Journalist Deborah Haynes, from Kent, was then interrupted on Sky News by her son, who paid her a visit to discuss how many biscuits he was allowed to eat.
Ms Haynes stopped mid-sentence as her son opened the door and came in, saying: ‘Hold on that’s my son arriving, really embarrassing.’
‘Can I have two biscuits’, he asks, to which the journalist replied: ‘Yes, you can have two biscuits, really sorry about that.’
MPs have also shared telling behind-the-scenes images of the reality of working from home, with Andrew Gwynne, Labour MP for Denton & Reddish, pictured watching the first virtual Prime Minister’s Questions with one-year-old grandson Lyle grasping his hand.