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Rory Stewart has explained his unusual stare during a Newsnight episode that made him a meme.

The former Conservative MP-turned-political pundit appeared on BBC ’s Newsnight last week to weigh in on the latest headlines.

When his fellow panellist, New Statesman’s political editor Ailbhe Rea, mentioned AI, Rory’s head turned to her at a stunning speed.

He appeared to stare at her intensely for a duration of some seconds with a focused expression, unwittingly becoming an internet sensation.

Now the Rest Is Politics podcast host has commented on what really happened as he was quizzed by co-host Alastair Campbell, who exclaims ‘what were you doing?’

Rory jokes that his physical language in the moment was similar to Ed Miliband’s sandwich shot, a now-famous picture taken at an unfortunate moment showing the Labour politician tucking into a bacon butty in 2014.

He says: ‘A little bit like Ed Miliband, I’m kind of a bit weird.