Nicola Sturgeon has challenged men "to stop being misogynist" to help make politics a better place for women.
The First Minister spoke out today after an anonymous Tory MP accused Angela Rayner of attempting to distract the Prime Minister by crossing and uncrossing her legs in the Commons chamber.
The accusation was made in a report by a London-based newspaper and has been widely condemned across the political spectrum.
Asked whether there was a cultural problem in Westminster, Johnson said today: "It’s hard to say on the basis of that particular story.
“But I have to say I thought it was the most appalling load of sexist, misogynist tripe.
“I immediately got in touch with Angela and we had a very friendly exchange.”
Nicola Sturgeon was today campaigning in Aberdeen ahead of next week's local elections.
When asked how politics can be made more welcoming to women, the First Minister said: “Men have to stop being misogynist.”
She added: “Not all men are misogynist, but misogyny comes from men and that’s what needs to change.
“It’s not women that need to change, it’s the conduct and behaviour and attitudes of men.”
Sturgeon added that women are too often reduced “to their body parts”.
“I’ve been subject to that, all women in public life have been,” she said.
“And, also, this suggestion that the failures of men can always be laid at the door of a woman.
“The fact that Boris Johnson performs poorly in the House of Commons, the fact that Angela Rayner manages to out-debate him on every occasion that they’re up against each other, is somehow Angela Rayner’s fault rather than the fact that Boris Johnson’s just not very good at his job.”
When asked what repercussions those who briefed the story to the press should face, the First Minister said that was for the Conservative Party to decide, adding she hoped they would be dealt with “seriously”.
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