Carol Vorderman has called for an apology after former London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey made "sexist" comments about her Instagram posts.
Appearing on GB News last week, Lord Bailey drew attention to Vorderman's appearance in her Instagram photos, saying: "It's all pictures of her bum and her boobs".
He went on to suggest one cannot be both a "serious political commentator" and an Instagrammer.
Broadcaster and former Countdown star Vorderman has since branded Bailey a "misogynist" and suggested his peerage should be removed.
Responding in a statement on Thursday afternoon, Lord Bailey stopped short of apologising to Vorderman but admitted his comments had been "clumsy".
During his GB News appearance Lord Bailey, who has been a life peer since last July, said: "Look, on one hand she's got all that stuff, you know, she's a serious political commentator.
"And then if you look at her Instagram it's all pictures of her bum and her boobs.
"So what is it here? She can't be both."Posting on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday night, Vorderman highlighted a new report which said South Wales Fire and Rescue Service tolerated sexual harassment.
She wrote: "A shocking report into misogyny and abuse in South Wales Fire Service out today found 'a sexist and misogynist culture, with inappropriate comments made to and/or about women AND/OR ABOUT THE WAY THEY LOOK OR DRESS'.
"Shaun 'Bum and Boobs' Bailey is part of the misogynistic culture.
"Shaun Bailey is in House of Lords. He shouldn't be.
"I think apologies are in order."
Responding on Thursday, Lord Bailey said in a statement: "In a recent panel discussion, I used a clumsy form of words to describe Carol Vorderman’s Instagram posts.
"The point I was trying to make is Carol lives in a world of glitz and celebrity, as her Instagram portrays, but simultaneously demonises and bullies those who hold different political views to her own.
"I strongly support free speech. I don’t support bullying."
Social media users have also criticised Lord Bailey's comments, branding them "an absolute disgrace" and praising Vorderman for "simply pointing out misogyny"
Ava Evans, political correspondent at JOE, wrote: "Really exhausting to see this said about @carolvorders.
"It’s so easy to use your interview time to go for someones arguments, yet he can’t help himself but go for her body."Former Tory Mayoral candidate, who was photographed partying during lockdown."
Lord Bailey was the Conservative candidate in the 2021 London mayoral election, when he lost out to Labour's Sadiq Khan who was re-elected.
He remained a London-wide Assembly (LA) Member.
But he resigned as chair of two LA committees in 2022 amid the 'partygate' saga, after it emerged he attended a party thrown by his campaign staff during lockdown in December 2020.
Despite this, he was controversially made Baron for Paddington last July, after being offered a peerage by Boris Johnson.
