A Labour MP who faced criticism on social media for her off-the-shoulder dress said people needed to “listen to what we say not what we wear”. Tracy Brabin, the shadow culture secretary, said she had been “startled by the vitriolic nature” of some comments.

She told BBC Breakfast it was her responsibility to “call it out”. “Women around the world… are being demeaned everyday because of what they wear,” she said.

The Batley and Spen MP had been raising a point of order in the House of Commons on Monday about journalists being asked to leave a Downing Street press briefing on the next stage of Brexit talks, when her shoulder appeared. She said her slightly off-the-shoulder dress had slipped a little as she leant forward to speak.

Ms Brabin said she had been to a music event earlier in the day and was not expecting to be called to the dispatch box. “But, the context of this is frankly pretty absurd,” she said.(bbc)…[+]