This is Geoffrey Cox. He's the UK's attorney general. You may also know him as the MP for Torridge and West Devon, or "that guy who sounds like Mufasa".
This morning, the UK has been watching him with bated breath because his legal advice on whether the new agreements agreed by Theresa May and the EU last night will still leave Britain parked “indefinitely” in the backstop (the insurance policy to prevent a hard border in Ireland) will be key to persuading Conservative MPs to back the prime minister.
Never let it be said that Britain is a weird country, but for reasons best explained elsewhere, this process was also being referred to as the moment we would see Cox remove his codpiece.
Today is the day where we could see his codpiece removed and we see @Geoffrey_Cox in all his naked glory. https://t.co/Pip6yAcrhf
The tension rose. High-profile politicians said their view would be informed by him.
David Davis tells @JuliaHB1 that his vote tonight “all hinges on Geoffrey Cox. . .it could just, just about make it acceptable to me”.
What would he say?
Jacob Rees-Mogg says he will vote for the deal if it is accepted by ERG Star Chamber, DUP and Geoffrey Cox #r4today
All eyes on @Geoffrey_Cox today and his analysis of the deal. I sincerely hope he provides an honest assessment for MPs to consider. Can't imagine how much pressure he is under to say what the PM wants to hear.
And so it came to pass, at 9:03am, in response to an unverified claim by Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow, Geoffrey Cox gave the word. And the word was:
Powerful, reasoned, and cogent.
You tell him @Geoffrey_Cox #WithdrawalAgreement
If something of a departure from his previous style.
Geoffrey Cox's rhetoric, a study. 3 October 2018: “Methinks I see in my mind a noble and puissant nation rousing herself like a strong man after sleep, and shaking her invincible locks." March 12 2019: https://t.co/1WCHWa5Oo5
It was, without question, one of his most powerful tweets. Arguably as powerful as the time he, for some reason, told us all to get Outlook for iOS.
@Geoffrey_Cox ok geoff i've got outlook for ios now what
@Geoffrey_Cox
@Geoffrey_Cox "Get Outlook for iOS"
Anyway. We still have no idea how Brexit is going to go.
Geoffrey Cox has updated his legal advice. He is no longer of the opinion you should Get Outlook for iOS https://t.co/WvFP875d6L
Britain leaves the EU in 17 days.
What is in your codpiece? https://t.co/g3dueLNite
UPDATE
He has now spoken. Basically, he said "bollocks" again, but in legalese.