Failsworth MP Angela Rayner has hit back at a national newspaper, calling one of its stories "gutter journalism".

It comes after an article in the Daily Mail said Tory MPs had accused Ms Rayner of deliberately crossing and uncrossing her legs in the House of Commons to distract Boris Johnson during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs).

The Prime Minister faced mounting calls for his resignation over the Partygate scandal during the weekly session; he apologised for breaking his own Covid rules but refused to step down.

The Mail on Sunday article compares Deputy Leader of the Opposition Ms Rayner to a scene in the 1992 film Basic Instinct, where Sharon Stone’s character Catherine Tramell crosses and uncrosses her legs to reveal she isn’t wearing any underwear while being questioned by police.

On Twitter, Ms Rayner, one of Oldham’s three MPs, hit back at the publication, accusing it of sexism and calling the story “gutter journalism”.

She said: “I stand accused of a 'ploy' to 'distract' the helpless PM - by being a woman, having legs and wearing clothes.

“I am conspiring to ‘put him off his stride.’

“The rest I won’t repeat - but you get the picture.”

She went on to say she hoped the experience would not put off others with similar backgrounds from going into politics.

It's not the first time the Mail has been accused of sexism towards women in politics.

In 2017, an article with a photo of Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon alongside then-PM Theresa May sitting in chairs drew attention to the politician’s legs – with the headline ‘Never mind Brexit, who won Legs-it.’

Women are underrepresented in public life, making up just over a third of MPs in the House of Commons, despite making up just over half of the UK population.

The Daily Mail has been approached for comment.

Update: PM Boris Johnson has tweeted saying he deplores the “misogyny” directed at Angela Rayner.

The Failsworth MP thanked the PM in her own tweet.

Culture secretary Nadine Dorries also tweeted her own condemnation 16 minutes later – using the exact same wording as the Prime Minister.