Tory Minister Slams Labour Deputy Over ‘Leg Crossing’ Claims
A Tory minister has reignited a bitter spat by accusing Labour’s deputy leader of trying to derail Boris Johnson – sparking fresh fury and accusations of misogyny.
Lia Nici Sparks Outrage With Shocking Remark
Lia Nici, newly appointed Levelling Up minister and Grimsby MP, repeated explosive claims in a BBC Politics North interview this Sunday. She said the Labour deputy leader once “thought it would be amusing to cross her legs in the Commons chamber” while boasting that male Tory MPs were staring at her.
Ms Nici’s comments came during a heated exchange with Labour MP Naz Shah from bradford/" title="Bradford" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Bradford West. Shah blasted the minister’s words as “absolutely disgraceful.”
“I’m not sure what’s more disappointing, Lia — a woman talking about another woman in such misogynistic terms, or the blatant attempt to deflect attention from this government’s dismal 12 years of austerity,” Ms Shah said.
Labour’s Rayner Fires Back
The controversy traces back to an April Mail on Sunday story quoting an anonymous Tory MP claiming Labour’s Shadow Deputy Leader Angela Rayner used leg crossing to distract Boris Johnson in Parliament.
Ms Rayner slammed the report as a “perverted smear,” highlighting the everyday misogyny women face in politics.
At the time, Mr Johnson labelled the claims “sexist, misogynistic tripe” and warned he would unleash “the terrors of the earth” on the source if they were ever named.
Heated Rows Expose Deep Political Divides
The spat reveals deep animosity and ongoing battles over sexism in Westminster. Labour insists the story is a smear campaign against Ms Rayner, while Tory ministers keep firing barbs under the guise of ‘honesty and integrity.’
With tempers flaring and accusations flying, this row shows no sign of cooling anytime soon.
