Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper has drawn scorn after its front page focused on legs over legislation.

The front page of the paper and an adjoining article highlighting the legs of Prime Minister Theresa May and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon after their meeting to discuss the future of the United Kingdom, has been labelled “sexist” and “moronic”.

The photo of the two leaders published on Tuesday (local time) displays their legs prominently alongside a headline speculating about which leader won “Legs-it”, a play on Brexit.

Ms May and Ms Sturgeon had met to discuss vital differences in their approach to Britain’s exit from the European Union and a possible second Scottish independence referendum that could break up the United Kingdom.

It's 2017. This sexism must be consigned to history. Shame on the Daily Mail. pic.twitter.com/V3RpFSgfnO

— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) March 27, 2017

Inside the paper, the adjoining article to the front page headline referred to the women’s legs as “their finest weapon in their physical arsenal”.

It said Ms May’s were “demurely arranged in her customary finishing-school stance”.

While Ms Sturgeon’s “shorter, but undeniably more shapely shanks are altogether more flirty, tantalisingly crossed, with the dominant leg pointing towards her audience”.

The newspaper said in a statement the piece about the legs was “lighthearted” and urged critics to “get a life”.

Moronic! And we are in 2017! pic.twitter.com/LTGEZdtNo3

— Harriet Harman (@HarrietHarman) March 27, 2017

It said the Daily Mail often commented on the appearance of male politicians, and asked if there was a rule that all political coverage must be dull.

The front page drew complaints from politicians, commentators and readers.

“The 1950s called and asked for their headline back,” tweeted former Labour Party leader Ed Miliband.

Labour’s Yvette Cooper tweeted: “It’s 2017. Two women’s decisions will determine if United Kingdom continues to exist. And front page news in their lower limbs. Obviously.”

A spokesman for Ms Sturgeon said it was “slightly surprising” that when two leaders are discussing such important issues the newspaper’s “main focus should be on their legs and what they are wearing”.

Lots of moaning about the Mail front page. Stop moaning and stop reading instead. And any daughter whose parents read it go and rip it up

— ALASTAIR CAMPBELL (@campbellclaret) March 28, 2017

But British Vogue said the tabloid’s latest “sexist headline” should not depress readers.

“Take a moment to consider this. Don’t these women look magnificent? Don’t they, whisper it, look like women, rather than women masquerading as men?” the magazine said on its website.

“Try to take a positive out of this sticky photo call: here are two of the most powerful women in the world, with the confidence to promote their female sovereignty. All power to them.”