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'I'M NOT BLIND!'

Brexit chief David Davis sucked into sexism storm as texts emerge of him denying hugging Labour bigwig

Mr Davis is said to have embraced and kissed the Labour politician in a Commons bar last week

BREXIT Secretary David Davis is embroiled in a sexism row after claiming he would not hug or kiss Labour's Diane Abbott because he is 'not blind'.

Mr Davis caused further controversy when he reportedly said hugging Ms Abbott would have made a good Specsavers-style advert.

 Brexit Secretary David Davis, pictured arriving at 10 Downing Street earlier this week
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Brexit Secretary David Davis, pictured arriving at 10 Downing Street earlier this weekCredit: PA:Press Association

Mr Davis is said to have embraced and kissed the Labour politician in a Commons bar after she voted in favour of triggering Article 50 last week.

She responded by telling the Tory minister to “f**k off”.

According to the Mail on Sunday, a Conservative colleague text Mr Davis and said: “Cannot believe you made an attempt to give DA [Dianne 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.”

The colleague then wrote: "Ha! Ha! Thank God you aren't blind. Great week for you and Brexit!"

In response, Davis texted: "Actually it would make a good Optical Express advert ... Yes, a reasonable success."

Labour MP Jess Phillips slammed him as being “drunk on Brexit smugness” and called for an apology.
 Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott, pictured at the 2016 Labour Party Conference
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Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott, pictured at the 2016 Labour Party ConferenceCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

She said: “You’d have hoped this sort of misogynistic, sexist attitude had gone out in the 1950s.”

Mr Davis’s spokesman said last night: “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.”
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