Owen Smith: Sexism accusations are 'mortifying'

Owen Smith delivers a speech in London on 24 September 2016 (EPA)

Owen Smith has described the sexism row he has become embroiled in as “mortifying” a day after defending a tweet about Nicola Sturgeon as “political banter”.

The Labour MP challenging Jeremy Corbyn for leadership was confronted by jeers and difficult questions when he addressed women at a Labour women’s hustings on Monday evening, according to The Guardian.

Mr Smith has been beset by accusations of sexism after making a number of contentious remarks about female MPs in recent months. One member of the audience challenged him on his comments, claiming they were “deeply gendered”.

“It has been the most mortifying experience for me in this contest to have been painted as sexist, because it’s the last thing I am," he replied.

“In truth, some of the things you said reflected the way in which some phrases I used, either in a tweet or speech, have been decontextualised and repeated in order to portray me as being sexist.”

Mr Smith was accused of sexism earlier this year after tweeting that he had been served the perfect slice by “ladies” and a picture of gobstoppers which he said would be the “perfect present” for the Scottish First Minister.

On Monday, Mr Smith insisted he did not regret sending the tweet despite the reaction it provoked.

“It was a joke tweet,” he said. “I don't think it was in any way meant to be intended in any way other than that. No, I don't regret it. I just think it was a bit of political banter during an election contest.”