In reply to FactorXXX:
Parliament was in session - he was the government's representative in the debate. He was in that position for at least half an hour before he was called out on it. He wasn't asleep but did at least appear to be close to it.
However I also believe it to be contrived in that he is doing it purposely in seeking to deflect people into criticizing his eccentricities rather than his abhorrent opinions and motives