Watch: Geoffrey ‘Mufasa’ Cox brings the house down

Choosing a warm-up act to introduce a big speech is a delicate balancing act. Pick someone too woeful and the crowd is deflated before you’ve even begun. But pick someone too impressive, and your own efforts begin to pale in comparison. Theresa May came perilously close to the latter this afternoon, when she asked her Attorney General Geoffrey Cox QC to introduce her conference speech.

Conservative members, the cabinet and watching hacks were left agape as Cox’s booming baritone voice echoed across the hall in a robust defence of Britain’s decision to leave the European Union. Cox was quickly dubbed ‘Mufasa’ and ‘Gandalf’ by those watching. Mr S thinks the video speaks for itself though:

Perhaps those watching shouldn’t have been so surprised. While it wasn’t in front of a judge, and Cox wasn’t garbed in his usual wig and gown, the Attorney General has made a living performing in court, and a lucrative one at that.