The UK’s Attorney General has boasted about the contents of his underpants in the House of Commons.

Geoffrey Cox joked around with MPs today despite his talks with the EU having no breakthrough just 22 days before Brexit.

He claimed his plan, to achieve change to the ‘Irish backstop’ in the Brexit deal, has "come to be called Cox’s codpiece."

He bizarrely added: "What I’m concerned to ensure is that what is inside the codpiece is in full working order."

The codpiece, whose name is derived from the Middle English for "scrotum", is a Renaissance-era crotch pouch placed inside a gentleman’s tight breeches.

Mr Cox – already a favourite in Westminster for his Mufasa- and Gandalf-like booming voice – raised eyebrows with the bizarre remarks.

It came after Labour MP Helen Goodman questioned whether he was watering down his demands for Brexit.

Ms Goodman quoted Theresa May saying she would re-open the Brexit deal to change the backstop – which could trap the UK under EU customs rules from 2021.

She pointed out that EU chiefs have now rebuffed this – with France’s Foreign Minister saying it’s not possible.

Yet Mr Cox insisted: "It is government policy to achieve the necessary change in the backstop which will cause me to re-view and change my advice.

"That is government policy, that is the discussions we’ve been having."

EU sources branded Mr Cox’s demands "insane" after "difficult" and "robust" talks in Brussels this week.

And SNP MP Patrick Grady fumed: "The definition of insanity is repeating the same thing and expecting different results."

Furious Mr Cox today admitted talks with the EU will "almost certainly" continue through the weekend – but said he was "surprised" at the reports.

He told MPs: "We are discussing detailed, coherent, careful proposals.

"I am surprised to hear the comments that have emerged over the last 48 hours that the proposals are not clear.

"They are as clear as day and we are continuing to discuss them."

Elsewhere, Mr Cox confirmed he will reveal legal advice on a revised Brexit deal which will come to a vote by MPs next Tuesday. 

He said: "I shall publish my legal opinion on any document that is produced and negotiated with the EU."

But Brexiteer Tory MP Mark Francois complained: "He will end up examining his own codpiece in front of the House of Commons.

"How can he provide objective advice to this House, on which we rely, when he will in effect be marking his own homework?"

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