Legs-it: Daily Mail under fire for 'sexist' front page

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.

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Hundreds expressed scorn and disbelief on Twitter, condemning the front page and the article as demeaning and outdated.

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."