Owen Smith defends 'sexist' tweet about Nicola Sturgeon as 'political banter'

Owen Smith sits in the audience before delivering a speech at a press conference in London on September 5, 2016 (AFP/Getty)

Owen Smith has insisted he does not have a problem with women as he defended a contentious tweet about Nicola Sturgeon.

The Labour MP for Pontypridd currently locked in a battle for leadership with Jeremy Corbyn was accused of sexism earlier this year after tweeting that he had been served the perfect slice by “ladies” and a picture of gobstoppers which he said would be the “perfect present” for the Scottish First Minister.

Speaking at a press conference in London this morning, Mr Smith insisted he did not regret sending the tweet despite the reaction it provoked.

“It was a joke tweet,” he said. “I don't think it was in any way meant to be intended in any way other than that. No, I don't regret it. I just think it was a bit of political banter during an election contest.”

He said the number of women on his campaign is proof he does not have a problem with women.

"I wouldn't be represented by so many women here today and I wouldn't have so many women running my campaign."

At the time, the SNP told PoliticsHome the former Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary was “developing a habit of putting his foot in his mouth when it comes to female politicians”.

In July, Mr Smith was forced to defend his use of imagery after saying he wanted to “smash” Theresa May on her “back heels” as rhetoric. He had said: "I’ll be honest with you, it pained me that we didn’t have the strength and the power and the vitality to smash her back on her heels and argue that these our values, these are our people, this is our language that they are seeking to steal.”

He stood by his remarks after being challenged by Sky reporter Sophy Ridge, but added: “I don’t literally want to smash Theresa May back, just to be clear. I’m not advocating violence in any way, shape or form.”