Australian senator 'slut-shames' fellow parliamentarian

During a debate in the upper house of parliament, David Leyonhjelm (pictured above) insulted fellow senator Sarah Hanson-Young, telling her to "stop shagging men." Leyonhjelm reportedly told her to "f--- off" when Hanson-Young confronted him over the incident.

A heated debate on legalizing pepper spray to protect women from sexual assaults led to a grubby dispute that saw Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull demand an apology from Leyonhjelm.

"David Leyonhjelm's offensive remarks should have been withdrawn the moment they were uttered," the premier said. "It is not too late for him to withdraw and apologize. That type of language has no place in parliament and shouldn't have a place in any workplace."

Read more: Australia launches workplace sexual harassment inquiry

Unapologetic

Not only did he not dispute the incident, Leyonhjelm later went on air and criticized Hanson-Young, refusing to apologize.

Leyonhjelm said his comment was "legitimate" and what offended him was Hanson-Young's claim that "all men are rapists."

"I am opposed to misandry, just as I am to misogyny. And I am also entitled to call out double standards," Leyonhjelm said. "So arguing on the one hand that all men are evil, the enemy, they're rapists and sexual predators. And on the other hand having normal relationships with men, obviously is contradictory and I can call it out."

Hanson Young, who is divorced, denies making any such claims.

Read more: Australia bans sexual relations between government ministers and staff

'Slut-shaming'

Hanson-Young said she would sue Senator Leyonhjelm and Sky News, the network that aired the interview.

"David Leyonhjelm is suggesting — because he can't win an argument, he wants to bully — that I am sexually promiscuous," Hanson-Young told ABC channel on Tuesday. "He is slut-shaming me. That is what he is doing."

Sky News apologized for airing the interview and suspended a producer for allowing the "appalling comments" on the channel.