Encouraged by friends to help raise money for the ‘Movember’ campaign, Michael Fabricant smuggled a false moustache stuck firmly to his upper lip into the Chamber of House of Commons for the last Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) of November on the 27th. And by using a giving-website, by close of play at midnight on November 30th, Michael had raised £1,204 – all of which goes to the charity, Prostate Cancer UK.

“I have to say I felt very nervous and embarrassed entering the Chamber wearing a false moustache. I didn’t want to bring the House into disrepute nor be rebuked by Speaker Bercow. When I walked in immediately before PMQs began, I hid my face with my Order Paper though a colleague, who didn’t realise it is strictly forbidden, then took a photo of me in the Chamber. Hence my startled look! I only lowered the Order Paper once PMQs began. And then I chose not to try and ask a question or give the Speaker any excuse to tell me off. I have never been so well behaved at PMQs before; though the PM did refer to me as a ‘Bandito’.

“It has caused much amusement amongst MPs of all political parties who keep asking me why I have now ‘shaved the moustache off’.

“Since PMQs, I have been stunned by the generosity of my Lichfield and Burntwood constituents as well as my Twitter and Facebook followers. One donation even came in from Canada and another from Australia. I believe £1,204 is a good result for wearing a false moustache for just 30 minutes. That hourly rate is even better than some bankers’ earnings!

“I shall not, however, be taking up the suggestion from two MPs that I should raise the ante next year by wearing a mankini in Prime Minister’s Questions. I am sure David Cameron – and many others – will be much relieved.”

Photographs show Michael wearing his moustache at Prime Minister’s Questions on November 27th