Theresa May urged to ditch leopard skin shoes in bid to bring employers to heel

The Prime Minister has been urged to swap her leopard skin shoes for comfortable footwear to support a campaign against women being forced to wear high heels.

The TUC Congress in Brighton approved a campaign to warn bosses and workers of the danger of inappropriate footwear, following the row over a receptionist sent home for refusing to wear high heels.

Over 140,000 people signed a petition supporting Nicola Thorp who objected to being told to wear shoes with a heel.

Penny Robinson of the GMB union took off her high heeled shoes to tell delegates that women were expected to wear "totally inappropriate " shoes to work.

She noted that Theresa May had attracted comments about her leopard skin shoes and suggested how the new Prime Minister could support the union campaign.

"She could make a point of wearing pumps, flats or comfortable shoes for Cabinet meetings or when she meets EU leaders," she said.

Katie Collins of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists said 80% of adults had a foot problem, often caused by work.

Some employers enforced a dress code which included shoes, she said, adding: "Wearing high heels has real long term health implications."