Anne Robinson says 'fragile' modern women 'unable to deal' with workplace sexual harassment

'In the early days, 40 years ago, there were very few of us women in power and I have to say we had a much more robust attitude to men behaving badly,' says Weakest Link presenter

Robinson says she is 'in despair' women have been silent over sexual harassment (Getty)

Anne Robinson has prompted anger for claiming modern day women are “fragile” and unable to deal with sexual harassment in the workplace.

The broadcaster, who hosted The Weakest Link from 2000 to 2012, said her generation was more “robust” and she was “in despair” women have been silent over sexual harassment.

Over the weekend Prime Minister Theresa May ordered a Cabinet Office inquiry into whether International Trade Minister Mark Garnier breached the ministerial code over claims he asked his Commons secretary to buy sex toys and called her "sugar tits".

Former culture secretary Maria Miller claimed earlier this month she had been sexually harassed "numerous times".

Speaking to Radio 4’s Today programme, Robinson said: "Even a former female cabinet minister is now telling us how bad it is.

"It's the first time she's spoken out ... These women are there to protect other people.

"Why has this come to us now? Why haven't they been fighting for some sort of recognition of this behaviour? Why?"

The presenter and former newspaper journalist added: "In the early days, 40 years ago, there were very few of us women in power and, I have to say, we had a much more robust attitude to men behaving badly.

"Now what seems to have happened, the glass ceiling has been shattered but running alongside that is a sort of fragility amongst women who aren't able to cope with the treachery of the workplace.

"It shouldn't be happening but, on the other hand, why have women lost confidence and why do, certainly MPs, a PA to a trade minister, feel they have to get and buy sex toys when they're asked to? I despair."

She added: "How come the Prime Minister, only 24 hours ago, decided this was a problem ... What has happened is it has become inconvenient to ignore it anymore...

"It shouldn't be going on but it would be helpful ... if women, particularly older women and women in power, stopped it being tolerated. There needs to be a collective amongst women."

Robinson’s remarks have caused an uproar on social media and critics have accused her of victim blaming.

"Now we have Anne Robinson blaming women for not speaking out - she clearly doesn't understand the balance of power in all cases. If you speak out people don't believe you,” said one Twitter user.

Another critic said: "Anne Robinson is a dinosaur who should not be given air time."

"Shame on Anne Robinson. This is classic victim blaming. Absolutely disgusted. Get her off the air,” added one more.

Robinson’s decision to weigh into the sexual harassment row comes in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein allegations, and as actor Kevin Space apologised for any "inappropriate drunken behaviour" with a 14-year-old in 1986.

Additional reporting from agencies