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Tory Andrea Leadsom provoked hilarity in Parliament today, after she called Jane Austen “one of our greatest living authors.”

The Commons Leader was welcoming the inclusion of the Pride and Prejudice writer, who died in 1817, on the new £10 note.

Leadsom was was speaking about high achieving women in the final Commons Business Statement before Parliament rises for the lengthy summer recess.

She said she was “delighted” by Austen’s inclusion on the plastic tenner, saying: “Its another - one of our greatest living authors…”

As the Commons erupted with laughter, Leadsom immediately corrected herself - saying “Greatest EVER authors.”

She added: “Well I think a lot of us wish she were still living.”

(Image: BANK OF ENGLAND)

The new notes have already been a source of embarrassment for the government, due to the Treasury’s choice of Austen quote.

The quote - “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading,” from Pride And Prejudice, is doubtless an admirable sentiment.

But the quote comes from the character of Caroline Bingley, who doesn’t actually like reading at all, and only said it because she was trying to pull Mr Darcy.