NICOLA Sturgeon has expressed her solidarity with Angela Rayner after the deputy Labour leader was accused of deliberately distracting Boris Johnson in the Commons by crossing and uncrossing her legs.
According to the Mail on Sunday, Tories believe Rayner is using methods akin to Sharon Stone’s infamous scene in the film Basic Instinct.
One Tory MP told the paper: “She knows she can’t compete with Boris’s Oxford Union debating training, but she has other skills which he lacks.
“She has admitted as much when enjoying drinks with us on the [Commons] terrace.”
The comments have been widely condemned as misogynistic, with many pointing out the attack reflects poorly on the Prime Minister if he is distracted at the despatch box by women’s legs.
Rayner hit back at the “desperate, perverted smears” on social media.
Scotland’s First Minister replied: “Solidarity from across the political divide to Angela Rayner on this. It’s a reminder of the deep misogyny women face every day.
“Tho the line about Johnson’s Oxford debating ‘skills’ is truly laughable – from what I’ve seen she can debate him out the park!”
Solidarity from across the political divide to Angela Rayner on this. It’s a reminder of the deep misogyny women face every day.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) April 24, 2022
Tho the line about Johnson’s Oxford debating ‘skills’ is truly laughable - from what I’ve seen she can debate him out the park! https://t.co/83DyaW4bDD
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon perfectly trolls her critics with 'nippy' coffee tweet
The Prime Minister later intervened to condemn the remarks about Rayner.
He posted: "As much as I disagree with @AngelaRayner on almost every political issue I respect her as a parliamentarian and deplore the misogyny directed at her anonymously today."
As much as I disagree with @AngelaRayner on almost every political issue I respect her as a parliamentarian and deplore the misogyny directed at her anonymously today.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 24, 2022
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries posted the same message from her Twitter account.
As much as I disagree with @AngelaRayner on almost every political issue I respect her as a parliamentarian and deplore the misogyny directed at her anonymously today.
— Nadine Dorries (@NadineDorries) April 24, 2022
READ MORE: Boris Johnson and Nadine Dorries panned for 'copy and paste' message to Angela Rayner
As well as being misogynistic, Rayner said the comments discriminated against her for being working class.
“Women in politics face sexism and misogyny every day – and I’m no different,” she tweeted.
“I stand accused of a ‘ploy’ to ‘distract’ the helpless PM – by being a woman, having legs and wearing clothes. I am conspiring to ‘put him off his stride’. The rest I won’t repeat – but you get the picture.
“Boris Johnson’s cheerleaders have resorted to spreading desperate, perverted smears in their doomed attempts to save his skin. They know exactly what they are doing. The lies they are telling.
“The potted biography is given – my comprehensive education, my experience as a care worker, my family, my class, my background. The implication is clear.
“But it is the PM who is dragging the Conservative Party into the sewer – and the anonymous Tory MPs doing his bidding are complicit.”
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford also gave his backing to Rayner.
"I fully stand with @AngelaRayner on this disgusting story," he tweeted. "I have had the pleasure of working with Angela in Parliament, she is an accomplished colleague who is a credit to public life for who she is. She should be proud of her achievements and for the leadership she shows."
Sharing the Mail on Sunday article, Pete Wishart added: "Just when you thought UK politics couldn’t get any more stupid. There is seriously something wrong with these people."
Former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson was another to criticise the comments.
She posted: "I'm no particular fan of the PM, but I'm not sure those briefing the Mail that he's distracted at the dispatch box by Angela Raynor being a) a woman and b) wearing a skirt are really dishing out the bazinga they think they are. We're all better than that report (including the PM)."
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