An MP has been caught watching a pornographic film – in Parliament.

Joao Rodrigues even let his colleagues watch over his shoulder during a debate on electoral reform.

It showed a woman 'in very obscene positions', according to local media who viewed the video.

Scroll down for video

'Obscene': Video footage appears to show Brazilian MP Joao Rodrigues watching a pornographic film on his mobile phone under his desk during a debate in Parliament

Brazen: Rodrigues even appears to share the film with other legislators when they approach his seat

Footage shows Rodrigues, of the ruling Social Democratic Party in Brazil, apparently watching the porn clip on his mobile phone under his desk.

At times, even appears to share it with other legislators when they approach his seat.

Next to him is an invitation to attend a mass at the headquarters of Bishops of Brazil.

At the time of the incident, the Chamber of Deputies in Brasilia was in full session debating and voting on electoral reform.

Defence: Rodrigues later said on Facebook that he received the video through a group conversation on WhatsApp and was on the verge of deleting it

Rodrigues later said on Facebook that he received the video through a group conversation on WhatsApp and was on the verge of deleting it.

He said: 'I participate in nearly 100 groups on WhatsApp and during the day I search and separate the wheat from the chaff.

'What interests me, I keep or forward and what doesn't interest me, I delete.

'It was just what I was doing, erasing the rubbish.'