Legs-it: Daily Mail under fire for 'sexist' front page
Twitter reacts after columnist Sarah Vine compares Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon's legs
A Daily Mail front page comparing Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon's legs is generating controversy across the internet.
Today's edition of the tabloid features a cover photo showing the Prime Minister and Scotland's First Minister during a meeting.
"Never mind Brexit, who won Legs-it!" reads the accompanying headline.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Inside, columnist Sarah Vine dwells extensively on the contents of the two leaders' wardrobes, noting Sturgeon's "natty blue suit" and May's "trademark leopard-print heels".
She continues: "What stands out here are the legs – and the vast expanse on show."
There is "no doubt that both women consider their pins to be the finest weapon in their physical arsenal", adds Vine. While May keeps her legs "demurely arranged", Sturgeon's "shapely shanks are altogether more flirty, tantalisingly crossed".
Hundreds expressed scorn and disbelief on Twitter, condemning the front page and the article as demeaning and outdated.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Former equalities minister Nicky Morgan said it demonstrated "appalling sexism" about Britain's most senior female politicians.
Several Twitter users, including Alan Rusbridger, a former editor of The Guardian, channelled their outrage into envisioning a similar front page with male politicians.
The Daily Mail described the story as "light-hearted" and said in a statement: "We often comment on the appearance of male politicians including Cameron's waistline, Osborne's hair, Corbyn's clothes - and even Boris's legs".
It was a different story north of the border, however. Although the image was the same, the Daily Mail's Scottish edition carried the headline: "Oh so frosty! Secrets of Nicola and PM's talk-in."
-
Quiz of The Week: 18 – 24 OctoberQuiz Have you been paying attention to The Week’s news?
-
The Week Unwrapped: Will Grace Wales Bonner change Hermès for the better?Podcast Plus will nuclear fusion deliver us from climate change? Is humour the best way to take on Trump?
-
The week’s best photosIn Pictures A fluffy hug, a toppled tower, and more
-
Taking the low road: why the SNP is still standing strongTalking Point Party is on track for a fifth consecutive victory in May’s Holyrood election, despite controversies and plummeting support
-
Nicola Sturgeon's memoir: making the personal politicalTalking Point Former Scottish first minister attempts to set record straight in 'Frankly' but does she leave more questions than answers?
-
'This is a humanitarian, developmental and moral emergency'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
What difference will the 'historic' UK-Germany treaty make?Today's Big Question Europe's two biggest economies sign first treaty since WWII, underscoring 'triangle alliance' with France amid growing Russian threat and US distance
-
Is the G7 still relevant?Talking Point Donald Trump's early departure cast a shadow over this week's meeting of the world's major democracies
-
Angela Rayner: Labour's next leader?Today's Big Question A leaked memo has sparked speculation that the deputy PM is positioning herself as the left-of-centre alternative to Keir Starmer
-
Is Starmer's plan to send migrants overseas Rwanda 2.0?Today's Big Question Failed asylum seekers could be removed to Balkan nations under new government plans
-
Has Starmer put Britain back on the world stage?Talking Point UK takes leading role in Europe on Ukraine and Starmer praised as credible 'bridge' with the US under Trump