Clive Lewis reopens sexism row after 'liking' tweets calling 'b----' comment 'harmless banter'

Clive Lewis has reopened a row over comments he made at a Labour event after he "liked" tweets which called his words "harmless banter" and said they had been taken out of context. 

The MP for Norwich South came under fire after a video surfaced online of him saying "Get on your knees, b----" at a fringe event at the Labour Party conference in Brighton. 

He was criticised by MPs from his own party including Harriet Harman and Jess Phillips. 

Ms Phillips, chair of the women's parliamentary Labour Party, also took to social media to express concern, tweeting: "Just seen the Clive Lewis video. Obviously I am appalled, just listened to 7 teenage girls speak up about gender inequality. Perhaps I'll bring them to work on Monday."

Former minister Yvette Cooper tweeted: "Agree w Jess. No excuse for saying this, whatever context."

Mr Lewis apologised on Twitter, saying: "I apologise unreservedly for the language I used at an event in Brighton last month. It was offensive and unacceptable."

Ms Phillips later tweeted that the matter was closed. 

"Dear left wing men attempting to school me on here. Clive has rightfully apologised. The End! We all need to check ourselves and what we normalise usually without intention of harm. I will, I'd ask you to give it a go," she said. 

But it has now emerged that Mr Lewis has since "liked" tweets which suggest that the behaviour was not an issue. 

One called it "a load of nonsense", while another said: "It's crystal clear that you were making a jokey comment in the spirit of the event. Mountain was molehill!"

Another follower replied with: "Don't let hipocritical (sic) Tories get you down!", while yet another said: "Total solidarity with you my man".

A fifth said: "Personally I don't feel offended by it. It is also my experience that you couldn't be less sexist if you tried".