This footage shows MPs gasping and recoiling in horror as a rat scurries across the floor of the Spanish Parliament in Andalusia.

The incident took place in the Andalusian Parliament in southern Spain and shows the president of the Parliament, Marta Bosquet, 52, addressing her peers while wearing a face mask.

Suddenly she gasps and claps a hand to her mouth in horror as a rat appears between the seats of the parliamentarians, who can be seen jumping to their feet. One woman immediately leaves the room.

The rat was spotted between the chairs of members of the centre-right Citizens party and between those of the far right Vox party, according to local media reports.

The incident took place in the plenary hall of the Andalusian Parliament on Wednesday afternoon (21st July) and left some MPs scared, while others laughed it off.

Proceedings were brought to a halt as a result of the rodent’s interruption. According to local media outlet Ultima Hora, the rodent ran from one side of the room to the other.

Eventually, the rat left the room of its own accord and the session resumed.

It is unclear if the MPs plan to bring in an exterminator to handle the rodent problem.