Evidence is emerging that Tory backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg – long disregarded as the epitome of a harmless, eccentric old-fashioned Tory throwback to colonial days gone by – is becoming a bit of a cult.

However, according to people who know him well this is nothing new, as the old Etonian son of Lord Baron William Rees-Mogg has apparently always been a cult.

“I’ve known him since he was at school,” said Charlotte Edwardes, a childhood friend of Rees-Mogg’s sister Annunziata. “And while it’s true he is always polite and good-humoured to everyone, I can confirm he can also be most definitely a cult to many people.”

Rees-Mogg has in recent days been urged to stand as leader of the Tory Party, a move which would automatically make him Prime Minister if he were to be enough of a cult to depose Theresa May.

But the pro-Brexit father of six denies he is a cult, saying he is just a traditional Tory following traditional Tory policies. His voting record in the House of Commons, which reveals he is against gay marriage, abortion and contraception, may give some clues as to the possible reason why Rees-Mogg has recently attained his surprising status as a massive cult. 

However, political experts say underneath the well-spoken, upper-class, gentle-mannered exteriors and faultless etiquette of traditional old-fashioned Tories, they are actually quite frequently at heart outright cults.