Journalist Petronella Wyatt left Channel 5 viewers outraged on Wednesday night after she claimed that women wearing short skirts in Westminster were sending out a “signal” to colleagues.
Her comments, made on the channel’s #MeToo: The Debate, came weeks after claims of sexual harassment rocked parliament.
Wyatt said that she has seen female researchers in Parliament “running around in micro-miniskirts getting paralytically drunk”.
When asked why it matters what these women are wearing, she retorted: “Because what kind of signal do you think that sends out?”
She added: “When I wear a micro-mini skirt it’s because I want to show off my figure.”
Wyatt, the former deputy editor of the Spectator, said that it was “unprofessional to turn up in the workplace looking as if you’re going to the beach”.
The televised debate was aired following the Channel 5 documentary Raped: My story.
After this important documentary I’m joining other women on @channel5_tv to discuss how we use this moment to create real change https://t.co/onJOt3t2RB
Some condemned Wyatt’s comments, especially in the wake of programme, which included personal accounts of sexual assault.
After that fantastic documentary with amazingly brave people – Petronella Wyatt makes me want to weep. ‘Wearing a miniskirt and being drunk is sending the wrong signals!!’ Really? Consent woman CONSENT!! Message is DONT RAPE not avoid being raped.
November 22, 2017
Just honestly quite angry that Petronella Wyatt could follow quite harrowing personal testimony of rape with a performance that would discredit Cruella de Vil.
November 22, 2017
Many pointed out how contentious her views were, with some calling her an “embarrassment” to her sex.
I’m proud to say I’m absolutely *not* the most annoying commentator on this show tonight. Take a bow, Petronella Wyatt. Nearly caused a riot https://t.co/yBMGAwBtHd
November 22, 2017
Petronella Wyatt is such an embarrassment to women, she is displaying one of the main problems #metoothedebate
Women like Petronella siding with patriarchal views and ideas instead of standing with women is why the fight agaisnt Patriarchy is never ending! #metoothedebate
November 22, 2017
Which world is Petronella living in. It’s 2017 and rape culture is still an issue?! People like her make it so hard for survivors to come forward! Disgraceful #metoothedebate @channel5_tv
November 22, 2017
#PetronellaWyatt: apparently she is another one of those beings who has been placed on this earth to help decent minded people to cultivate patience and forgiveness.?
November 22, 2017
Get that awful Petronella Wyatt off. My blood pressure is going off the scale listening to her patronising nonsense #metoothedebate
It is not the first time Wyatt has come under fire for her controversial views on sexual harassment.
Earlier this month she revealed she was “flattered” by men groping her when she worked in Westminster in the 1990s.
During a heated exchange on Radio 4′s Today programme, she said: “There were a couple of men that were a bit gropey. But do you know what? I was flattered.”
Sexual harassment has been in the limelight in recent weeks following a spate of allegations, not just in the political arena, but in Hollywood and other industries.
Among those accused of sexual harassment in Westminster was former defence minister Michael Fallon, who resigned from his post after admitting that his behaviour had “fallen short” in the past.