The site, http://www.sexymp.co.uk, asks visitors to choose between two pictured legislators, with the votes compiled into a fast-changing overall ranking. On Wednesday, Conservative legislator Penny Mordaunt led the female politicians, while fellow Tory Jake Berry was ranked the sexiest man. The site's creator, reality TV star Francis Boulle, defended it as a "fun and memorable" way for people to get to know their politicians.

Most lawmakers seemed to take it in good humor.

Jim Shannon, briefly ranked least sexy among 648 lawmakers, told the BBC he hadn't been elected for his looks, but because voters "know I am a worker and will get the job done."