London: A Labour frontbencher caused outrage on Wednesday by calling the new intake of female Tory ministers “puppets” and saying their appearance “really is the most interesting thing about them”.

Helen Goodman, Labour’s media spokesman, made a savage attack on the appointments of a string of women to high-profile positions, claiming they will “change nothing”.

But those promoted in Tuesday’s reshuffle — and who went to meet the Prime Minister on what the Daily Mail dubbed the “Downing Street catwalk” — hit out at her remarks.

Nicky Morgan, the new Education Secretary, said Labour leader Ed Miliband should “condemn these appalling comments” by Miss Goodman.

Mrs Morgan, who is also women’s minister, added: “How can the Labour Party’s view be anything other than agreeing with us that Helen Goodman’s comments were disgraceful and there is no place for them in modern politics.”

Miss Goodman, 56, later deleted the post on Twitter and apologised saying it was an attempt at a “light-hearted remark”. In a further apology last night she added: “I was wrong in what I tweeted about Tory women ministers and I apologise to them unreservedly.”

She had written about the Tory women: “All are puppets who’ll change nothing and their appearance really is most interesting thing about them.”

Claire Perry, who was made a junior transport minister, wrote: “Wow Helen, I can’t imagine you actually think that given how much work we have done together on child protection online.”

The most scathing criticism was from former Tory MP Louise Mensch, now a newspaper columnist, who wrote: “Labour sexists, one and all. Helen Goodman, you are a disgusting old dinosaur.”

Members of the public also reacted angrily, calling Miss Goodman, who was elected MP for Bishop Auckland in 2005 — through an all-women shortlist — “sexist” and “smug and unpleasant”.

The shadow minister later tweeted: “I’m very sorry my last tweet offended some people. I intended it as a light-hearted remark.”

Sarah Newton MP, a deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, wrote to Harriet Harman to complain about the comment, saying it was a “disgraceful and demeaning slur, [which] damages not only those Conservative MPs referred to, but all women in politics”.

She said Miss Goodman must make a “full and personal apology” to all the Tory MPs involved.

Miss Goodman is a member of the all-party group on body image, and has previously spoken out about the pressure young girls feel from images in the media.

Tory MP Julian Smith tweeted: “What rubbish — have you bothered to look at their CVs? Every one impressive. Crass rudeness — v surprised you wrote this.”

Anna Soubry, promoted at the Ministry of Defence, called the remarks “deliberately insulting” and said Miss Goodman should apologise to the “talented women she has chosen to cheaply slur”. In his reshuffle, David Cameron promoted Mrs Morgan, who replaces Michael Gove at education, and Liz Truss, the new Environment Secretary, to Cabinet positions. This takes the number of female Cabinet ministers to five out of 22.

They join Theresa May, the Home Secretary, Justine Greening, the International Development Secretary, and Theresa Villiers, the Northern Ireland Secretary.

Also attending Cabinet, but not as full members, are employment minister Esther McVey, communities minister Baroness Warsi and Leader of the House of Lords Baroness Stowell.

Other rising stars promoted to ministerial positions are Priti Patel, who is fourth in command at the Treasury, Anna Soubry, a defence minister, and Penny Mordant, minister for coastal communities.

McVey has laughed off being dubbed “Queen of the Downing Street Catwalk”, saying it was “fine if it inspires girls to go into politics”.