David Davis was 'very silly, sexist and patronising' over Abbott

Baroness Chakrabarti has said David Davis was "very silly, sexist and patronising" and should show Diane Abbott "more respect" after apparently attempting to embrace her after the Article 50 vote.

The Shadow Attorney General said the shadow home secretary has maintained a "dignified silence" after it was reported she told Mr Davis to "f*** off" after he appeared to lean in to try and kiss or embrace her in a Commons bar after the vote.

Ms Chakrabarti told Peston on Sunday: "Diane is not someone who would have her hand patted by Donald Trump or David Davis or anybody else."

Mr Davis has been embroiled in further controversy after it was revealed he texted a colleague denying that he leaned in to embrace Diane Abbott.

According to the Mail on Sunday, Mr Davis said he was "not blind".

Ms Chakrabarti said: "It's really disappointing. [The text message is] sexist, it's patronising. It's disrespectful."

"Diane Abbott and David Davis were once on the same side on some really important civil liberties issues in this country.

"He should show her more respect."

Baroness Chakrabarti said Diane Abbott has maintained a 'dignified silence'. Credit: PA

The Mail on Sunday reported a colleague texted Mr Davis, saying: "Cannot believe you made an attempt to give DA (Diane Abbott) a hug!"

He replied: "Didn't, but the myth grows. I whispered in her ear 'Thanks for your vote' hence the 'F off'. I am not blind."

A spokesman for Mr Davis insisted that he respected Ms Abbott and had been joking. In a statement, he said: "This was a self-evidently jocular and private exchange with a friend.

"The Secretary of State is very sorry for any offence caused to Miss Abbott, someone he has known and respected for many years."

Labour MP Jess Phillips said: "You'd have hoped this sort of misogynistic, sexist attitude had gone out in the 1950s."

David Lidington spoke of his hope that both parties could 'move on'. Credit: ITV/Peston on Sunday

Meanwhile, leader of the Commons David Lidington, told Peston on Sunday that Mr Davis has apologised and he hoped all parties could "move on".

He said: "He’s embarrassed by them. He’s given an apology, I would hope Diane accepts that apology and we move on because frankly, all of us, Labour, Conservative and other parties have plenty of important issues to discuss."