Equality boss blasts media for obsessing over Theresa May’s trousers
PinkNews Exclusive
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Chair David Isaac has criticised the media for spending a week discussing Theresa May’s £995 trousers.
In an interview with PinkNews to be published next week, Mr Isaac said it was “depressing” that powerful and successful women like Theresa May continue to be judged in this way.
Responding to a question about the PM’s pants, he said: “I think women are subject to huge scrutiny and it’s all very depressing, I have to say, that those news stories have that currency.
“That really successful, powerful women are often traduced in that way.
“Those sorts of comments weren’t made about David Cameron or anyone else.”
The EHRC boss was appointed by former Equalities Minister Nicky Morgan – who started the pants row when she told The Times: “I don’t think I’ve ever spent that much on anything apart from my wedding dress.”
Asked if the clothing commentary was OK because if was from the ex-Minister, Mr Isaac said: “No I don’t think it does actually.
“This is about respectful treatment of women in the country and of course people are going to comment on how they look and how much they cost.
“But for me it’s not the comment it’s the fact it became her story.”
He went on to criticise the culture that allows for the cost of the trousers to become a story – warning it diminishes the position of women in the workplace.
“When we have really successful women like Theresa May, it’s about how we promote them as a role model, and not diminish what she has achieved and what impact she has on our country.
“There’s a tipping point in relation to the impact that has particularly to young women and how they see themselves and the careless everyday sexism that has an effect on people’s abilities to flourish as women.”
PinkNews’s full interview with David Isaac – discussing Brexit, sexism and religious freedoms will be online next week.
