It was probably meant as a compliment – but for 57-year-old lawyer Alexander Carter-Silk it backfired spectacularly.

The married father-of-two was accused of ‘disgusting’ sexism last night for messaging high-flying barrister Charlotte Proudman, praising her ‘stunning’ picture on professional networking website LinkedIn.

He said the 27-year-old should ‘win a prize’ for her photograph, adding it was ‘the best I have ever seen’ on the site.

'Offensive': Married father-of-two Alexander Carter-Silk, 57, (pictured left) was accused of ‘disgusting’ sexism for messaging high-flying barrister Charlotte Proudman, 27, (right), praising her ‘stunning’ picture on LinkedIn

Miss Proudman – who is the same age as Mr Carter-Silk’s daughter – responded saying she found his message ‘offensive’ and that she was not on LinkedIn ‘to be objectified by sexist men’.

The human rights barrister, who is currently studying for a PhD at Cambridge, then posted an image of both messages on Twitter and was inundated with messages of support.

In accompanying tweets she wrote: ‘How many women @LinkedIn are contacted re physical appearance rather than [professional] skills? ...highlights wider sexism in legal [profession] perpetrated by other legal [professionals].

‘His motives are sexist & such users shouldn’t be allowed to use @LinkedIn –need firm stance.’ Asked by a Twitter user whether his message would have been more acceptable to her had he spoken to her face-to-face, she added: ‘Sexism has no appropriate context.’

Other lawyers also commented, calling his message ‘inexcusable sexism’ and ‘very worrying’.

Mr Carter-Silk’s full 9.16am message said: ‘Charlotte, delighted to connect, I appreciate that this is probably horrendously politically incorrect but that is a stunning picture !!!

Mr Carter-Silk said Miss Proudman should ‘win a prize’ for her photograph, adding it was ‘the best I have ever seen’ on the site. She responded saying she was not on LinkedIn ‘to be objectified by sexist men’ (pictured)

In accompanying tweets she wrote: ‘How many women @LinkedIn are contacted re physical appearance rather than [professional] skills? ...highlights wider sexism in legal [profession]'

‘You definitely win the prize for the best LinkedIn picture I have ever seen. Always interest to understant (sic) people’s skills and how we might work together.’

Responding around nine hours later, she wrote: ‘Alex, I find your message offensive.

‘I am on Linked-in for business purposes, not to be approached about my physical appearance or to be objectified by sexist men.

‘The eroticisation of women’s physical appearance is a way of exercising power over women. It silences women’s professional attributes as their physical appearance becomes the subject.

‘Unacceptable and misogynistic behaviour. Think twice before sending another woman (half your age) such a sexist message.’

In a statement released through City law message board RollOnFriday, Mr Carter-Silk claimed his comments had been misconstrued.

I am on Linked-in for business purposes, not to be approached about my physical appearance or to be objectified by sexist men Charlotte Proudman

He said: ‘Most people post pretty unprofessional pictures on LinkedIn, my comment was aimed at the professional quality of the presentation on LinkedIn which was unfortunately misinterpreted.

‘Ms Proudman is clearly highly respected and I was pleased to receive her request to linkup and very happy to instruct her on matters which [are] relevant to her expertise, that remains the position.’

Miss Proudman is an award-winning barrister at the Chambers of Michael Mansfield QC. She is currently taking a sabbatical to do a PhD, where she is studying the law surrounding female genital mutilation (FGM).

Mr Carter-Silk lives in Cambridgeshire with his wife of nearly 30 years, Jacqueline, 60.

He has more than 25 years’ experience and represented high-profile clients, including Elle Macpherson throughout the phone-hacking scandal.

Speaking from the couple’s £700,000 detached home last night, Mrs Carter-Silk said she was unaware of the incident and declined to comment further.

A spokesman for law firm Brown Rudnick, which he joined last year, said: ‘We are aware of the comments made by a member of the firm on a private social media account.