Nicky Morgan and Theresa May aide clash over Prime Minister's trousers

A bitter spat has erupted between a Theresa May top aide and Nicky Morgan over the Prime Minister's designer leather trousers.

Fiona Hill, a leading advisor to Mrs May, referred to the former education secretary as "that woman" in a text message.

It came after Ms Morgan publicly criticised the Prime Minister for wearing leather trousers that cost nearly £1,000 in a photo shoot for a newspaper.

Ms Morgan was due to meet with Mrs May and fellow Tory Alistair Burt to talk about their Brexit plans this week.

But the joint chief of staff dropped Ms Morgan from the meeting in response to her criticism of the premier's decision to pose in Amanda Wakeley-designed trousers.

Ms Hill reportedly sent a text message to Mr Burt warning him: "Don't bring that woman to No 10 again".

The MP for Loughborough found out about the message and sent a stinging reply to the aide.

Ms Hill, believed to be referring to the pair attending the previous meeting together, replied: "Well, he just did. So there!".

"Trousergate" was sparked after Ms Morgan questioned Mrs May's decision to wear the £995 designer trousers in a shoot for the Sunday Times.

She said: ''My barometer is always: 'How am I going to explain this in Loughborough market?'

''I don't have leather trousers. I don't think I've ever spent that much on anything apart from my wedding dress."

In a pre-recorded interview on the BBC's Sunday Politics, Ms Morgan said being a backbencher at a time of "weak" opposition meant she had a duty to scrutinise the Government over Brexit.

Standing in front of a framed portrait of Mrs May, she said: "Nobody comes into politics to be a thorn in their party leader's side.

"But, at the end of the day, it is such a massive issue that if you don't stand up for what you believe in I'm not sure what the point is of going into politics."