Gavin Williamson interrupted by Siri during Commons statement on Isis

Defence secretary apologises to MPs after his iPhone begins searching online for information on Syria

The defence secretary has been interrupted while delivering a statement in the Commons - by his own iPhone.

Gavin Williamson was updating MPs on the fight against Isis when the phone's Siri feature began speaking.

He was forced to fumble in his pocket to mute the device and apologise to amused MPs for the interruption.

Mr Williamson was giving an update on Western support for groups fighting against Isis when the phone started speaking from within his jacket pocket, having detected what he was saying and begun searching online for it.

Siri could clearly be heard saying: "I found something on the web for 'Syrian democratic forces supported by premonition'."

Seconds earlier, the minister had been telling MPs how "Syrian democratic forces, supported by coalition air power" were continuing their campaign against Isis. Siri appeared to have confused the word "coalition" for "premonition".

The electronic intervention prompted John Bercow, the Commons Speaker, to remark: "What a very rum business that is."

Mr Williamson attempted to laugh off the matter, saying: "I do apologise for that. It is very rare that you're heckled by your own mobile phone. On this occasion it is a new parliamentary convention, without a doubt."

He continued: "If I may proceed, without the help and support of Siri: there remains work to be done but that shouldn't stop us from acknowledging the huge achievements that have been made in the last year."

It is believed to be the first time a cabinet minister has been interrupted by their own phone while addressing the Commons.

Mr Williamson used the statement to tell MPs the territorial defeat of Isis was "at hand".

He said the jihadist group was now "confined to small pockets on the Iraq-Syria border, where they face daily attacks from coalition forces on the ground and in the air, including from our own Royal Air Force".

Using another name for Isis, he added: "Thanks to the courage of our forces and our partners on the ground, Daesh's final territorial defeat is now at hand."

The claim is likely to raise eyebrows given the group retains strongholds in a number of countries, including Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt and Somalia.

Accepting the difficulties of eradicating the group, Mr Williamson warned: "The battle against the poison of Daesh is not quite over. Instead, we are entering a new phase, as the terrorists change their approach, disperse and prepare for a potential insurgency."

He added: "Daesh remains the most significant terrorist threat to the United Kingdom due to their able to inspire, direct and enable attacks on our interests."