A Tory MP has finally been granted a debate in parliament on International Men's Day after he sparked a major row over the issue two weeks ago.

Philip Davies has been given permission to lead the debate in Westminster Hall next Thursday afternoon, which coincides with International Men's Day on 19 November.

His initial request last month was rejected by the backbench business committee, a group of MPs who allocate time for debates.

He had argued it wasn't right that MPs held an annual debate on International Women's Day and there was no equivalent discussion on men's issues. But Labour MP Jess Phillips, the only female member of the committee, told Davies at the time: "When I've got parity, when women in these buildings have parity, you can have your debate."

Davies told BuzzFeed News the committee had finally agreed to his debate on Tuesday when he got support from Labour MPs including John Cryer, chair of the parliamentary Labour party. His motion for a debate was also backed by a female Tory MP, Lucy Allan.

"I'm really pleased," Davies said. "I'm grateful to the backbench business committee and hopefully we will be able to raise issues in parliament that very seldom get raised and get debated but are very important to people."

The MP for Shipley, West Yorkshire, said he wanted to focus on men's shorter life expectancy, the high male suicide rate, and domestic violence against men.