ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

An everyday sexism row has broken out over an “inappropriate” and “disrespectful” Tube sign accusing a suffragette of failing to make her husband's evening meal.

Commuters have described Transport for London workers as being “incredibly short-sighted” over the joke sign, which was written on a notice board to coincide with the 100 year anniversary of women gaining the right to vote in the UK.

It also comes weeks after singer Lily Allen pointed out another Tube sign that sparked anger amid accusations that it "celebrated colonialism".

The more recent sign, photographed at Colliers Wood station in south-west London, read: “100 years ago, suffragette Emily Davison died after throwing herself in front of the king’s horse.

“History remembers her as being influential in giving women the right to vote.

“What history doesn’t remember is her husband, who didn’t get his tea that night!”

The photo was tweeted by Evelyn Clegg on Wednesday morning, who wrote: “Is this supposed to be funny, @tfl? Well this humourless feminist is genuinely appalled.

“Incredibly short-sighted & a waste of an opportunity for celebration.”

The tweet has sparked a number of responses, with one person posting: "Really? On the day we celebrated women getting to vote in general elections for the first time, someone thought this appropriate."

Another said: "This is so embarrassing and not remotely funny. How did anyone see this going down well?"

Others called the message "appalling" and "so, so bad".

Another person added: "Wow. Someone hugely misjudged that 'joke'. How disappointing of TfL."

Tfl’s official Twitter account replied to Ms Clegg's original tweet, saying the sign was “unacceptable” and adding that it is being investigated.

She told the Standard: "I'm pleased with their response, but obviously the sign should never have been put up in the first place, and it looks like they need to provide better training for their staff members in diversity and equality.

"I'm sure I'll be accused of 'not being able to take a joke', but humour based on the death of a woman who was fighting for basic equality is completely inappropriate.

"Yesterday was a day for celebration of these brave women, and this sign is so disappointing in its recycling of lazy sexist jokes.

"It could have been used for a positive and educational purpose, so it's a waste of an opportunity as well as being disrespectful."

In addition to offending scores of people, the sign also says that Emily Davison died 100 years ago. She actually died in 1913 after she was struck by a horse owned by King George V at the Epsom Derby.

Tuesday marked 100 years since the Representation of the People Act was passed, granting some women over 30 in the UK the right to vote for the first time.

A spokesman for TfL said: "This message was wrong and inappropriate in multiple ways, and completely unacceptable.

“We apologise for the offence caused and the message has been removed as quickly as possible.

“An investigation is underway in to who thought this was a good idea, and the appropriate action will be taken.

“We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind, and actively work to create more opportunities for women in our industry and celebrate those who fought for the rights of women.”