U.K. politician Nigel Mills has issued a public apology after being caught playing mobile puzzle game Candy Crush Saga during a Work and Pensions committee hearing.
Pictures of the MP playing the game on his tablet were published by The Sun newspaper over the weekend. Mills initially admitted to the paper of playing the game, telling reporters that he "probably had a game of two" and he would "try to not do it again."
Later, Mills said he apologizes "unreservedly" for his behavior during the two-and-a-half hour meeting.
"I apologise unreservedly for my behaviour at the committee meeting and realise it fell short of what is expected of a member of parliament," said Mills of his gaming during a meeting that took evidence from representatives of the pensions and insurance industries. "I guarantee it will not happen again."
Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh has commented on the news, recalling his own boredom when he used to chair a Commons committee.
"I would say get a life. I survived nine years as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and I just about managed not to go to sleep and not to play computer games but my god, it was boring! So if Nigel has to keep himself awake by playing computer games, good on him," he said.
The House of Commons authorities are now launching an investigation following photos of Mills with the game, stating the use of photography during the meeting is a breach of parliamentary rules.