Angela Rayner: What did Boris Johnson say to Labour MP about Mail on Sunday Basic Instinct legs story?

Over the weekend, Angela Rayner made headlines thanks to a Mail on Sunday article which has since attracted thousands of complaints.

The article targeted the Ashton-under-Lyne MP’s fashion sense, and went on to suggest that she chose to wear a dress to distract the Prime Minister in PMQ sessions.

The article, which Press Gazette reports has attracted over 5,000 complaints to press regulator IPSO, led to Rayner pointing out that: “Women in politics face sexism and misogyny every day - and I’m no different”.

So, what was the article about and how have Ms Rayner’s fellow MPs responded?

Here’s everything you need to know.

Who is Angela Rayner?

Angela Rayner is a British politician who has served as Shadow First Secretary of State, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party since 2020.

She has served as Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office, and Shadow Secretary of the State for the Future of Work since 2021.

Since 2015, she has been MP for Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester.

Born and raised in Stockport, Rayner left school at 16, after falling pregnant with her son.

After working in Social Care, she became a trade union representative within Unison. From there she began her political career and joined the Labour Party, working her way up to leadership.

She has since become known for her punchy speeches and strong responses to the Prime Minister and Tory opponents’ decisions and comments.

What was the story about?

Political editor Glen Owen reported claims from unnamed Conservative MPs that Ms Rayner “mischievously” tries to distract Boris Johnson at PMQs by crossing and uncrossing her legs.

The article attacked Ms Rayner for her fashion choice to her economic background.

The article likened Ms Rayner’s fashion and actions to that of Sharon Stone’s character in Basic Instinct, suggesting that Rayner was using the film character’s motive of distraction.

One anonymous Tory MP was quoted in the article as saying: “She knows she can’t compete with Boris’s Oxford Union debating training, but she has other skills which he lacks.

“She has admitted as much when enjoying drinks with us on the [Commons] terrace.”

How has Angela Rayner responded?

Ms Rayner quickly responded, denying the claims and dismissing the story as a "perverted smear" that showed women in politics faced misogyny every day.

She responded to the article with a series of tweets on Sunday where she went on to say that the article was ‘gutter journalism’.

She added: "I won’t be letting their vile lies deter me. Their attempts to harass and intimidate me will fail.

"I hope this experience doesn’t put off a single person like me, with a background like mine from aspiring to participate in public life. That would break my heart."

Ms Rayner went on Lorraine on 26 April to discuss the article and response to it. She added: “I’ve always felt quite intimidated. Women from my background do, we always think ‘they’re important, they know more than me’ - and then you get in the room and realise, actually, they don’t”

How has Boris Johnson responded?

Boris Johnson condemned the article by tweeting on Sunday 25 April: "As much as I disagree with Angela Rayner on almost every political issue, I respect her as a parliamentarian and deplore the misogyny directed at her anonymously today."

Boris Johnson spoke to journalists in Bury today and went on to say that the comments from Tory MPs are ‘misogynistic tripe’.

Johnson added: “I have to say I thought it was the most appalling load of sexist, misogynist tripe.

“I immediately got in touch with Angela, and we had a very friendly exchange.”

Other Tory MPs have come to Ms Rayner’s defence with Nadine Dorres tweeting the same tweet on Sunday morning as the Prime Minister.

What is Basic Instinct?

Basic Instinct is a 1992 neo-noir thriller starring Sharon Stone, and Michael Douglas.

The film follows Catherine Tramell, played by Stone, who is connected to the murder of a wealthy rock star.

During the investigation, Tramell becomes involved with the investigator Nick Curran, played by Douglas.

One scene the article refers to is one in which Stone’s character crosses and uncrosses her legs.

The specific scene, as well as the whole film, has been surrounded by controversy due to its depiction of sexuality and violence.

Sharon Stone has since said that the particular shot was filmed in a way she was not aware of.

Stone later said she believed the character’s not wearing underwear would only be alluded to and not shown and that she was not aware of it until she saw the film in a test screening.

Director of the film, Paul Verhoeven, has denied these claims.

Jeanne Tripplehorn, who plays Dr Beth Garner, also reported being misled, stating that the violent scene between herself and Douglas was pitched as ‘lighter’ before shooting.