Witham's MP has condemned a Parliament “sexism row”.

Priti Patel has spoken out after the fuss caused by David Cameron’s “calm down dear” comment, which he made to a female Labour colleague.

Ms Patel said: “Labour MPs need to grow up.

“It was quite clear that the Prime Minister’s comments were made in a light-hearted way.”

She said it was “pathetic” that “others obsessed with political correctness are trying to blow this up into a sexism row.”