ANGRY MP Janet Anderson has called for a special debate to mark International Women's Day so the House of Commons can discuss Tory backbencher David Evans' insulting remarks about women.

The loose-talking Tory MP for Welwyn Hatfield said women in politics got promoted purely because of their sex and claimed that Heritage Secretary Virginia Bottomley, whom he described as "dead from the neck up" was a prime example.

In addition, in his interview with local sixth formers, he said that his Labour rival at the next election Melanie Johnson, an unmarried mother, was the parent of "three bastards," throwing in insults to the Prime Minister and black people for good measure.

Rossendale and Darwen Mrs Anderson, who earlier this week delivered a letter to Mr Major calling for Mr Evans to be kicked out, told leader of the Commons Tony Newton that today was International Women's Day. She said that it was an annual custom to hold a debate on women's issues.

Mrs Anderson, the Shadow Minister for Women, asked Mr Newton to explain why there was no such debate this year and to reconsider the decision in view of Mr Evans' insulting remarks about women.

Mr Newton said he would bear her plea in mind but warned that the election might make it impossible.

Meanwhile, Pendle MP Gordon Prentice said Mr Evans remarks showed the Tories in their true colours.

He said: "Mr Evans is an absolute disgrace.

"He incubates the most complete and nauseating compendium of prejudices imaginable. The man is a disgrace to Parliament."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.