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The conviction is widespread, according to political correspondent Romili Weeks
Labor Angela Raynor told ITV she was “amazed” to see sexist comments about her quoted in a controversial newspaper article, but the provocative deputy leader suggested she did not need diversionary techniques to discuss Boris Johnson.
A senior lawmaker told the Lorraine program that “cultural change” is needed after a Mail on Sunday article published comments made by an anonymous Tory MP who accused her of crossing her legs to distract her. Mr. Johnson in questions from the Prime Minister.
Ms Raynor said the article was “disgusting” and completely untrue, but she felt compelled to wear pants for her TV appearance because “it’s not about my legs”.
“I didn’t want people at home to think, ‘Let’s take a look to see what her legs are like and how short her skirt is or not.’
“Because I feel like I’m being judged for what I wear, not for what I tell you and how I fall.”
The article on Mail on Sunday was widely condemned on the political spectrum, by the prime minister and several ministers, while the newspaper’s editor was summoned by the Speaker of the House of Commons to discuss what he said were “misogynistic and insulting” allegations. – Mrs. Raynor.
Armed Forces Secretary James Happy told ITV News that the Tory MP who made the comments was an “idiot.”
“Women MPs should be heard based on the strength of their arguments and their commitment to serve our country and their communities, not what they wear,” he said. “I’m so offended because it’s hurting all of us in Westminster, and even worse, it risks denying women access to public life.”
Commons leader Mark Spencer said the anonymous Tory MP had acted in an “inappropriate” way, but did not think they had broken any rules in the House.
President Lindsay Hoyle said the MP’s comments were “offensive to women in parliament and can only deter women who may consider running for office to the detriment of us all”.
“That’s why I arranged a meeting with the chairman of the press lobby, the editor of the Sunday Mail, to discuss the issue affecting our parliamentary community.”
Associated Newspapers, which published The Mail on Sunday, declined to comment.
Mr Spencer told the Municipal Standards Committee that he believed those who spoke to the newspaper violated “many” of the principles of public life, including “leadership” and “integrity”.
But when asked what rule they had broken, he said: “I don’t suppose they have broken a rule in the House or committed a crime that can be blamed in society.”
Harient Harman told ITV Good Morning Britain that the rules of the House of Commons need to be changed to make misogyny punishable by removal.
“This is a disgrace to the House of Commons … what it is, of course, is a way to undermine senior women in politics,” she said.
Ms Harman, who is known as the mother of the house as the longest-serving woman MP, added: “More women will come and they will change things, but we have to deal with this Neanderthal ass.
Ms Raynor told Lorraine she was “struck” by the outpouring of support for her, but said “there are still so many things we need to do” to change the landscape for women.
“We need to teach our sons to respect women and we need to teach our wives to be confident,” she said.
She also said the article was “soaked in classicism”, implying that she must have been “fat” because she went to a comprehensive school and “indiscriminate” because she had a child when she was young.
The anonymous Tory MP was quoted as saying in the article: “She (Ms Raynor) knows she can’t compete with Boris’s training for Oxford debate, but there are other skills that he misses.
“She admitted this when she enjoyed a drink with us on the terrace (Commons).”
Ms Raynor, who went to a comprehensive school, said the proposal was “absolute rubbish”, adding that she “I think I’m holding on” against the educated Prime Minister in Eaton.
“I have always felt quite scared. I think women of my descent do it, we always think that “they are important, they know more than me” – and then you go into the room and realize that they don’t really do it, “she told ITV.
Prime Minister Johnson has threatened the anonymous MP with “the horrors of the earth” if he ever finds out who they are.
He said he would “of course” try to find out which Tory MP made the comments, but did not give a time limit for an investigation.
Speaking during a visit to Bury on Monday, Mr Johnson said he had “contacted Ms Raynor immediately” after seeing the article, which he described as “the most horrific burden of sexist, misogynistic bellies”. .
“If we ever find out who is responsible [the comments]I do not know what we will do, but they will be the horrors of the earth.
– This is completely unbearable, such things.
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