MP Jacob Rees-Mogg tells GMB he opposes gay marriage and abortion

Life is sacrosanct and begins at the point of conception and I think it is wrong

Tipped to be a future candidate for Prime Minister, MP Jacob Rees-Mogg discussed his views on same-sex marriage and abortion on today’s Good Morning Britain.

On whether he agreed with same-sex marriage he said: “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.”

When asked repeatedly whether he therefore directly opposes gay marriage he said: “The teaching of the Catholic church is completely clear."

However, he was more direct about his views on abortion, telling Piers and Susanna: “I’m completely opposed to abortion. Life begins at the point of conception.”

When asked if he was opposed to abortion in all circumstances, including after a woman has been raped, 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.”

Questioned on whether this meant a woman who was raped had no right to an abortion he said: “No, she would have a right under UK law. But that law is not going to change. 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.”

During the interview we also asked Rees-Mogg whether he thinks he'll run for leadership of the Conservative party but for the time being it doesn't look too likely, with the MP saying he's '99.9%' certain he won't. "It would be a vanity," he told us.