A TORY minister was slammed by an audience member for a bizarre performance on Question Time on Thursday night.

During a debate about whether social media was a good way to discuss politics, the veterans minister accused social media users of “collective bed-wetting” after he faced criticism for suggesting that food bank use was a choice.

This led to one audience member shutting him down at the end of the show, saying: “Given that members of the Conservatives and the Conservative party have shut down any form of meaningful protest, and he’s shouted across every member of this panel tonight – how else are we meant to get our point across other than social media?”

It topped off a bizarre performance from Mercer, who repeatedly clashed with Labour frontbencher Bridget Philipson and had to be told off by Fiona Bruce for wrongly suggesting the Labour Party was funded by climate group Just Stop Oil.

“Facts matter,” she told him.

The MP for Plymouth Moor View was condemned on social media.

“An almost unbelievably appalling performance from Mercer this evening,” said Liam Thorp, the political editor for the Liverpool Echo.

Another user said: “Career ending childish galootery from Johnny Mercer.

“Really really distasteful behaviour from a man who’s a perfect illustration of a political party that’s given up but is perfectly happy to go down in flames and in shame. Really poor.”