Politician has brilliant response for trolls who harassed her over off-the-shoulder outfit in parliament

When Tracy Brabin MP stood at the despatch box in the House of Commons to raise a point of order, she probably didn't expect to be called a "slag".

The senior politician was policed for her clothing when she was simply doing her job. Sigh.

But Brabin — the shadow culture secretary and MP for Batley and Spen in West Yorkshire — was harassed on social media because of the outfit she was wearing, because she dared to wear an off-the-shoulder top in parliament.

Responding to a man's tweet asking "Is this really appropriate attire for parliament?" Brabin addressed the wider harassment she received over her sartorial choice.

Per Brabin's tweet, those comments included being called a "slag," "tart," "slapper," and being asked if she'd "just been banged over a wheelie bin."

Tweet may have been deleted (opens in a new tab)

Brabin was actually standing at the despatch box in the House of Commons to discuss Boris Johnson's director of communications ordering senior UK journalists to leave before a briefing on the prime minister's Brexit plans. Political journalists subsequently walked out of Downing Street in protest.

"The government’s behaviour in these matters threatens the civil service’s core values of impartiality and objectivity," Brabin said in the House of Commons. "It also brings into question the integrity of future government media briefings and the conduct of their special advisers, and it damages a free and vibrant press, which is central to this parliamentary democracy."

Twitter seemed more interested in Brabin's shoulder than the threat to press freedom, however.

Appearing on ITV's Lorraine, Brabin expanded on her experience of having her outfit targeted by Twitter trolls.

"I do think it's slightly absurd, but we're talking about shoulders which, in the scheme of things, when there's so much else to discuss, it does feel slightly silly," she said.

"I had the chance to push back on behalf of other women," Brabin added. "We also have a duty to call out everyday sexism but also to protect our young girls and give them the confidence to challenge and stand up for how they want to look"