Tracy Brabin has raised £2,000 – and counting – to help a charity empower young women by auctioning the off-the-shoulder dress that drew sexist criticism when she wore it in the Commons.
The shadow digital, media, culture and sport minister was forced to defend her attire after the dress slipped down her shoulder when she leaned on the despatch box due to a broken ankle on Tuesday.
Trolls branded the Labour MP “a slapper” and “a slag” while she called the government out for its attempt to selectively ban news outlets – including HuffPost UK – from briefings on Monday.
It was pointed out that male MPs had not faced the same level of abuse for dressing casually in the Commons. One had worn a tracksuit and football shirt and said he received far less vitriol. It was also pointed out that Jacob Rees-Mogg had felt comfortable physically reclining on the front bench during a key Brexit debate.
Brabin, the MP for Jo Cox’s old seat Batley and Spen, has since decided to sell the dress for charity on eBay, claiming it had sold out on ASOS as a result of the coverage.
“Black dress worn by Tracy Brabin MP in ‘shouldergate’ as widely covered across the media,” the listing reads.
“This is an ASOS dress which has been flying off the shelves as a result of the coverage – and is now sold out!”
The money raised will go to Girlguiding, a charity for girls and young women in the UK.
“All money raised will go to Girlguiding UK to support their work helping girls build confidence and self-esteem, in the hope that they grow up to be leaders,” the listing continued.
Ms Brabin responded to criticism of her attire on social media earlier in the week.
She had tweeted: “Sorry I don’t have time to reply to all of you commenting on this but I can confirm I’m not… A slag, Hungover, A tart, About to breastfeed, A slapper, Drunk, Just been banged over a wheelie bin.
“Who knew people could get so emotional over a shoulder…”