A minister has defended himself and told people to “grow up” after pictures shared on social media showed him barefoot on a train to London.

The image emerged in The Times, which reported that a passenger captured the photos of Johnny Mercer using his laptop on the go.

When the picture, taken on 6 May, was shared, users criticised the veterans minister for having his shoes and socks off – with even the prime minister set to have a word.

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“So some little weirdo has gone round snapping my laptop reading private messages from a private email account,” Mr Mercer posted on X.

“My shoes and socks were off because I’d just cycled across Dartmoor in the rain. Shoot me now. Or grow up.”

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When the prime minister’s spokesperson was asked on Wednesday if it was right to have your shoes and socks off on a train, they said no.

Mr Sunak will probably speak to Mr Mercer about it, they added.

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