A source close to the Whips Office said: “Questions are being asked around the palace and if the anonymous source is identified, action will be taken.”
Chris Philp, a culture minister, hinted that there could be an internal Tory investigation to establish which MP made the claims.
He told Sky News: “I think if it ever comes out who said that, then I imagine they would be subject to discipline, yes.”
He added that if an investigation was launched, it would “be looking at whether they know who said this”.
‘Sexist’ culture in Parliament
Downing Street said that MPs should “absolutely” challenge colleagues who made sexist comments in tea rooms and bars around Westminster.
On Monday, Harriet Harman, the veteran Labour MP, called for a change to the Commons rules to make misogynistic, homophobic and racist briefings a breach of the MPs’ code of conduct.
She told The Telegraph that this is not “just one bad apple”, adding that there is “definitely an undercurrent” of sexism in Westminster.
She added: “If a woman is dressed up, she is accused of titivation and if she isn’t, she is accused of being frumpy. Why should women MPs live in a state of eternal vigilance about what they wear?”
Her comments were echoed by Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, who said the culture in Parliament is “sexist” and “misogynist”.
Caroline Nokes, the Tory chairman of women and equalities select committee, admitted that she is apprehensive about wearing skirts in public and opts for trousers instead.
She told ITV’s Lorraine: “That’s why you often find me in media appearances wearing trousers so that nobody gets that photo. I’ve been a victim of it myself – pictures of me that have effectively been taken up my skirt.”