May plays down legs-it row as 'a bit of fun'
The Prime Minister has played down the 'legs-it' row, insisting a newspaper headline that focused on how she was dressed was 'only a bit of fun'.
It comes after a photograph showing Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon accompanied by the headline 'Never mind Brexit, who won Legs-it!' prompted widespread outrage.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and MPs including Harriet Harman and Yvette Cooper were among those to criticise the Daily Mail front page for being sexist and offensive.
But Mrs May has laughed off the suggestions.
Speaking exclusively to the Express & Star during a visit to the West Midlands, the Prime Minister said: "You will notice that I am wearing trousers today!
"As a woman in politics throughout my whole career I have found that very often, what I wear - particularly my shoes - has been an issue that has been looked at rather closely by people.
"Obviously what we do as politicians is what makes a difference to people's lives. I think that most people concentrate on what we do as politicians.
"But if people want to have a bit of fun about how we dress, then so be it."
The front page referenced Brexit talks between Mrs May and Scottish First Minister Mrs Sturgeon in Glasgow.
The paper wrote: "It wasn't quite stilettos at dawn..."
It continued: "What stands out here are the legs - and the vast expanse on show.
"There is no doubt that both these women consider their pins to be the finest weapon in their physical arsenal."
Mr Corbyn said such attitudes should be 'consigned to history', while Ms Harman said the headline was 'moronic'.
Former equalities minister Nicky Morgan, tweeted: "Seriously? Our two most senior female politicians are judged for their legs not what they said #appallingsexism."
She said the coverage was 'deliberately provocative, and deliberately demeaning'.
"How the Prime Minister deals with it is entirely a matter for her," she said, but added: "You've got two very senior female politicians who are discussing weighty issues and this is what a national newspaper thinks is appropriate."
Tony Blair’s former spin doctor, Alastair Campbell, labelled the paper 'utter scum' and urged anyone who spotted a copy of the Mail to rip it up.
Former Labour leader Ed Miliband tweeted: “The 1950s called and asked for their headline back.”
