Harriet Harman branded Jacob Rees-Mogg a 'deadbeat dad' after he confessed to never changing a nappy following the birth of his sixth child, Sixtus.

Labour's former deputy leader mocked the 'Rees-Mogg model' of fatherhood while campaigning for MPs to be allowed six months of paid leave after having a child.

But the Tory backbencher hit back against the criticism, saying he would 'lose little sleep over Harriet Harman's disapproval'.

Labour's former deputy leader(left) mocked the 'Rees-Mogg model' of fatherhood while campaigning for MPs to be allowed six months of paid leave after having a child

Ms Harman told The Guardian: 'Men who don't change nappies are deadbeat dads – and that includes Jacob Rees-Mogg.'

The Camberwell and Peckham MP wants the rules changed so Commons members can nominate colleagues to cast votes on their behalf while they care for a child.

Ms Harman pointed out that 17 babies had been born to women MPs since 2010 and they had not benefited from a system of leave.

She has submitted her proposals to the Speaker's Commons Reference Group on Representation and Inclusion, which meets next week.

Mr Rees-Mogg pictured with the sixth addition to his family, Sixtus

Before a speech to women from across the north of England at a Labour event in Newcastle, Ms Harman said: 'Women have babies - that is a fact of life.

'Women are in Parliament - that's a democratic imperative.

'The baby needs time with the mother, the mother needs time with the baby and the constituency needs to be properly represented at all times.

'We need a proper system of baby leave to square that circle. It's long overdue.'

The row over Mr Rees-Mogg's stance on fatherhood comes after the Tory backbencher was attack for saying he was against abortion even in cases of rape.

Challenged over his position on social issues, he told ITV1's Good Morning Britain earlier this week: 'I'm completely opposed to abortion. Life begins at the point of conception.'

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: 'I'm allowed to say what I think and people are absolutely entitled to say back what they think.

'I believe in free speech - and protecting it - is very important.

Mrs Harman wants the rules changed so Commons members can nominate colleagues to cast votes on their behalf while they care for a child

'Rape is a great evil and a terrible crime, but that's not made better by then aborting the unborn child.

'The Catholic Church's teachings are authoritative. To take a life after a rape is not the answer.

'Life begins at the point of conception. One can only feel compassion for a woman in these situations - which, of course are rare - but it's hard to see how taking a child's life makes them better.'