Jacqui Smith: Express dedicates article to former Home Secretary's image after she discusses Paris attacks on Sky News

Jacqui Smith (Getty Images)

When Jacqui Smith, the former Home Secretary, appeared on Sky News to discuss the Paris attacks she was no doubt expecting any articles about her appearance to discuss her political opinion on the response to the tragedy.

But The Express was apparently too distracted by her “long mane” and “newly-slender frame” to report on much of what she actually said on Thursday.

An article published after Smith's appearance paid little attention to her views on the crisis, instead marvelling over her ‘new’ image under the headline: “From frumpy to fabulous: Former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has a STUNNING new look”.

It also suggested leaving Parliament had “done wonders for formally frumpy Jacqui".

“The Malvern-born former MP appeared on TV with a long mane of brunette hair with gentle blonde highlights - a far cry from her previous Parliamentary look.

“Showing off a newly-slender frame, the 53-year-old was styled in a purple shirt and black waistcoat with a pair of patterned glasses framing her face.”

The angle the paper took on Smith’s slot on Sky News was highlighted by Smith herself on Twitter, prompting a slew of accusations of sexism from Twitter users.

Smith was the first ever female Home Secretary and served as an MP for Redditch for 13 years.

A spokesperson for The Express declined to comment.