Angela Rayner has stated that a Mail on Sunday report alleging that Tory MPs accused her of a Basic Instinct plot to distract Boris Johnson was “misogynistic,” “sexist,” and “steeped in classism.”

Labour’s deputy leader stated on ITV’s Lorraine that she was “crestfallen” to learn that the tabloid planned to publish the article and that she was continually having to “establish my value” as a female politician.

Ms Rayner called the post “disgusting,” adding that it “wasn’t only about me as a woman, it was also entrenched in classism and about where I come from, where I grew up.”

She went on to say that, while feeling “very upset” about the news over the weekend, she has been “heartened” by the public’s reaction.

Labour’s deputy leader also admitted that she purposefully chose to wear trousers for the TV interview on Tuesday morning, and she called for a “cultural shift” in parliament.

The story, which claimed that Tory MPs accused Ms Rayner of purposefully distracting Mr Johnson by crossing and uncrossing her legs, sparked a massive outcry once it was published.

The prime minister responded to the piece on social media over the weekend, saying, “As much as I disagree with Angela Rayner on practically every political topic, I respect her as a politician and condemn the sexism hurled at her anonymously tonight.”

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