LAWYER Alexander Carter-Silk, 57, probably thought nothing of it when he messaged 27-year-old human rights barrister Charlotte Proudman on LinkedIn and complimented her on her profile photo.

“Charlotte, delighted to connect,” he wrote. “I appreciate that this is probably horrendously politically incorrect but that is a stunning picture!!!

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

If he was expecting some flirtatious banter in response then he clearly messaged the wrong woman.

The Telegraph reports that Ms Proudman, who is studying for a PhD at the University of Cambridge researching female genital mutilation, told Mr Carter-Silk his message was “offensive”.

“I am on linked-in for business purposes not to be approached about my physical appearance or to be objectified by sexist men,” she wrote in a reply she posted online. “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,” she wrote.

Ms Proudman told The Telegraph she initially was going to ignore the message, the sort of which she has received before.

“I was just so infuriated after I read the message. Initially I thought ‘Oh God another one, I’ll just delete it’,” she said. “Then I thought, ‘no I’m not going to take this’. This is from a senior partner who should know better.”

Mr Carter-Silk has since apologised.

“I sincerely regret my remarks have offended you and I offer you my apologies,” he wrote..

However Ms Proudman says the apology does not go far enough.

“He hasn’t in my view accepted the fact that his actions were incredibly sexist and on the basis of objectifying my appearance. It’s absolutely bare minimum in terms of an apology.”

Her reaction prompted a number of other women on Twitter to share their own experiences.

.@CRProudman look at what my friend received from a 'fellow healthcare professional' on @LinkedIn - details redacted pic.twitter.com/btTyZqNOJ2 — Michelle Connolly (@michelllec) September 9, 2015

Well done for sharing your story @CRProudman Proud to stand as a professional women! Here's the latest creep.. pic.twitter.com/YXAHqFvNwN — Lucy Clarke (@lucyvenndigi) September 9, 2015

@CRProudman I received this message this morning. It happens all the time. Thanks for standing up to it. pic.twitter.com/MceJNEaIOk — Rebecca New (@rebeccanew91) September 9, 2015