Labour MP Frank Doran has came under fire for suggesting the post of fisheries minister would be unsuitable for a woman – and denied the remark was sexist because “I know the fishing industry”.

The education secretary Nicky Morgan said Doran’s comments were “outrageous and deeply offensive” and demanded an apology, while defence minister Anna Soubry said he was “talking nonsense and insulting women”.

Doran, the MP for Aberdeen North, made his comments during a debate on the fishing industry in the Commons. He recalled previous fishing debates in the Commons and the “biting” questions a minister previously faced, largely due to the higher number of fishing communities in the country.

He went on: “And he or, I’m trying to remember if we’ve ever had a female fisheries minister, I don’t think we have.”

The Tory MP Sheryll Murray intervened to tell him: “We haven’t but we have had former female secretaries of state.”

Doran replied: “You’re absolutely right but no dedicated fisheries ministers. I’m not sure it is a job for a woman although the honourable lady might reach that.”

After gasps could be heard, Doran said: “That was not a sexist remark. I know the fishing industry very well.”

Murray’s fisherman husband Neil, 57, died in 2011 after a toggle on the hood of his jacket got tangled in the net as he was hauling it in.

Outside the Commons, Morgan, who is also equalities minister, said: “Frank Doran’s comments are outrageous and deeply offensive and seriously undermine our work to raise aspiration among young women and girls. He should apologise. Labour are very good at throwing stones but they are too quick to ignore blatant sexism in their ranks – Ed Miliband and Harriet Harman cannot ignore this.”