Jacob Rees-Mogg has pulled out of events promoting his new book after being told by officials that he cannot take part in them.

The MP for North East Somerset was due to speak about his new book, The Victorians- Twelve Titans Who Forged Britain, at this year’s Henley Literary Festival in Henley-on-Thames on October 4.

But the Leader of the Commons yesterday said on Twitter that he would be “unable to fulfill this and other commitments” because he is prohibited to do so “by the powers that be”.

It is understood that officials had told him that propriety rules prevented him from taking part in the events given his ministerial role. 

The five day literary festival, which starts on September 29,…