Boris Johnson told to 'send clear message' to Tory backbenchers over sexist Angela Rayner comments

Boris Johnson has said "there can be absolutely no place" for sexism in Westminster, following an outcry over claims made about Angela Rayner.

In a widely condemned story in the Mail on Sunday, an anonymous Tory MP is said to have claimed Ms Rayner “knows she can’t compete with Boris’ Oxford Union debating training, but she has other skills which he lacks”. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called on the Prime Minister to send a "clear message" that such comments are not acceptable.

He said: "There is no place for sexism and misogyny or looking down on people because of where they come from in his party, in this House, or in modern Britain.”

Read more: The creepy Tory accusations against Angela Rayner were meant to undermine her - they have failed

Mr Johnson replied that he had “exchanged messages” with Ms Rayner at the weekend, adding: "I repeat what I said to her, there can be absolutely no place for such behaviour or such expression in this House and we should treat each other frankly, with the respect that each other deserves.”

The Mail stood by its story on Wednesday, claiming Ms Rayner had "laughed and joked" about such comments in the past. The Ashton-under-Lyne MP said: "As women we sometimes try to brush aside the sexism we face, but that doesn’t make it ok.

“The Mail implies today that I somehow enjoy being subjected to sexist slurs. I don’t. They are mortifying and deeply hurtful.

“She loves it really’ is a typical excuse so many women are familiar with. But it can’t be women’s responsibility to call it out every time. I don’t need anyone to explain sexism to me – I experience it every day."

The row came as Mr Johnson was branded an “ostrich” with his head in the sand over the cost-of-living crisis by Sir Keir.