The word cwtch has been used for the first time in Parliament by the Brecon and Radnorshire MP.

Fay Jones used the popular Welsh word in the House of Commons on Wednesday, January 5, while questioning the Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Cwtch commonly means cuddle or a hug although there is no direct English translation.

Earlier this week, Ms Jones posted on her social media accounts: “Absolutely delighted to learn this morning that my use of the word ’cwtch’ in the Commons last week was the first time that word has ever been used in Parliament.”

The MP had been criticising Wales’ Covid regulations on January 5 when using the famous Welsh word.

She said: “On Friday, I will be holding my team meeting in the local pub because under Welsh Government rules, we are not allowed to go to our socially distanced office.

“We cannot park run and we cannot watch outdoor sport on the touchline - but we can cwtch up together in the clubhouse to watch it.

"May I commend the prime minister for his bold decisions, and ask whether he agrees that the inconsistencies in the rules in Wales are not just ludicrous, but are harming the Welsh economy?"

The Prime Minister replied to Ms Jones by referring to the Welsh covid regulations as “baroque eccentricities”.

The rules in Wales, including masks wearing and the two-metre social distancing rule, were also criticised by other Welsh and English MPs including the Wales Secretary of State Simon Hart and former cabinet member Andrea Leadsom.

First Minister Mark Drakeford has since hit back at Mr Johnson’s comments calling England the “global outlier” in the fight against the Omicron variant.

According to Hansard, which publicly publishes all of the debate in Parliament, Ms Jone’s use of cwtch is the only time the word has ever been recorded.

While Rhondda’s MP Chris Bryant used the word in 2019 while running to be elected as Commons Speaker, it was outside of the chamber.