Tory MP Peter Bone caused a storm in a teacup today by donning a tea cosy on his head in the Commons chamber today - only to be scolded by the Speaker John Bercow for flouting Parliament's strict rules.

The MP hoped to raise awareness for the Crazy Hats breast cancer charity but Mr Bercow told him not to wear his hat again 'preferably at any time but certainly not in the House'.

Mr Bercow is a stickler for Commons conventions, which ban the use of clothing to promote their argument, but it is up to the Speaker to decide if the convention is broken.

Tory MP Peter Bone caused a storm in a teacup today by donning a tea cosy on his head in the Commons chamber today - only to be scolded by the Speaker John Bercow for flouting Parliament's strict rules

The MP hoped to raise awareness for the Crazy Hats breast cancer charity but Mr Bercow told him not to wear his hat again 'preferably at any time but certainly not in the House'

Even at the end of the nineteenth century, when wearing top hats were the norm, MPs were required to take them off while addressing the House.

Mr Bone donned the hat in the Commons today to highlight local charities day, which takes place tomorrow.

Crazy Hats, a local charity in Mr Bone's Northamptonshire constituency, has raised more than £2.3million since it was established in 2001 to help women diagnosed with breast cancer.

He demanded the Government do more to help local charities.

Viewers found the stunt bizarre but Peter Bone's constituents said it was in his character to be 'a visible presence'

It was a colourful day in the Commons today, with Labour's Barry Gardiner choosing a bright, flowery tie for his appearance today

Responding to his request, House of Commons Leader David Lidington said: 'I thought for one moment that he was auditioning for a role in some remake of the film Elf.'

I think that the Chancellor has demonstrated through improvements in the gift-aid scheme that the Government is keen to provide greater opportunities to small, local charities to benefit from donations; there is legislatoin going through Parliament at the moment that will make further concessions to help such charities.'

Mr Bone told MailOnline: 'Crazy hats is an amazing local charity raising 2 million pounds to support Breast Cancer victims in Northamptonshire.

'They need a bigger premise for a haven to support patients and their families.'