Rachel Reeves gets more abuse because she is a woman, Sir Keir Starmer has suggested.

The Prime Minister said he was “acutely aware” that women in public roles “get much more abuse and criticism than men”.

He also said he “absolutely” wanted Angela Rayner back at the top of Government after she resigned as his deputy and housing secretary over her tax affairs.

Ms Reeves had hit out at critics “mansplaining” to her how to be Chancellor and blamed sexism for motivating at least some of the criticism levelled at her ahead of the Budget.

Asked whether he agreed with her, Sir Keir told reporters: “I strongly believe that women in public life get much more criticism and abuse than men, and I mean that is in politics, but it’s also across a number of other areas.

“I’d also say the med

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