Politicians told what not to wear

Julia Gash believes politicians should look and sound good

The owner of an erotic boutique has held a fashion masterclass to teach female politicians how to walk the Commons catwalk.

Julia Gash, 40, staged the show at the Liberal Democrat's annual conference in Brighton on Monday.

Ms Gash, the party's European candidate for Yorkshire and the Humber, also runs a shop selling lingerie and erotica in Sheffield.

The designer told delegates her briefcase often contained a jumble assortment of "policy documents and knicker samples".

Ms Gash said: "You can look good as well as sound good."

Ms Gash outlined a series of "golden style rules".

They included properly fitting clothes, and aiming for a timeless and individual look.

She added: "Style is not something you are born with. You can learn it."

But Ms Gash underlined that just wearing good clothes was not enough to win elections.