Appearing on ITV’s GMB today, Jacob-Rees Mogg said his devout Catholic faith meant he could not support gay marriage
A potential candidate to replace Theresa May as Tory leader today revealed he ‘morally’ opposes abortion for women who have been raped.
Jacob-Rees Mogg also said his devout Catholic faith meant he could not support gay marriage.
The comments come after the MP – who has built up a cult following for his ‘Young Fogey’ style and traditionalist views – was installed as an unlikely favourite for next Tory leader.
Mr Rees-Mogg has been touted in some quarters as a right-wing antidote to the ‘authenticity’ of Jeremy Corbyn.
But the North East Somerset MP has repeatedly dismissed the prospect of making a bid for the Conservative leadership.
Appearing on ITV’s GMB this morning, Mr Rees-Mogg was asked about his views on abortion.
‘I’m completely opposed to abortion. Life begins at the point of conception,’ he said.
Asked if that meant he opposed abortion in all circumstances, he said: ‘Yes I am. I’m afraid so. Life is sacrosanct and begins at the point of conception and I think it is wrong.’
Pressed specifically on whether a woman who was raped should have a right to an abortion, he made clear that they would have a ‘right under UK law’ and the ‘law is not going to change’.
But he added: ‘My personal opinion is that life begins at the point of conception and abortion is morally indefensible.
‘I wouldn’t [stop her having an abortion] because that wouldn’t be the law of the land.’
Mr Rees-Mogg was also grilled by hosts Piers Morgan and Susannah Reid about gay marriage.
Appearing on ITV’s GMB this morning, Mr Rees-Mogg was asked about his views on abortion
Tory activists want Jacob Rees-Mogg to succeed Theresa May as party leader, according to a poll published yesterday
‘I’m a Catholic and I take the teaching of the Catholic church seriously in matters of faith and morals. Marriage is a sacrament and the decision of what is a sacrament lies with the church not with Parliament,’ he said.
‘The teaching of the Catholic church is completely clear.
‘I don’t want to criticise people who lead lives that are different to mine but equally I don’t want to divert from the historic teaching of the Catholic church.’
A survey of Tory activists yesterday found nearly a quarter would like to see the MP take over as leader when Mrs May goes.
But the grassroots members seem dissatisfied with the talent on offer – with 19 per cent of the ConservativeHome readers who took part in the survey saying they did not support any of the potential candidates.
Boris Johnson was the choice of just 7 per cent, suggesting his star has waned significantly since the aftermath of the EU referendum last year.