Conservative MP Philip Davies (file picture) has been elected to serve on Parliament's women and equalities committee

Men's rights campaigner Philip Davies has been elected to serve on Parliament's women and equalities committee.

The Conservative MP, who controversially fought for and secured an annual Commons debate on International Men's Day, was appointed after being selected by his party colleagues.

The Shipley MP was unopposed in his challenge for the committee in an appointment greeted with some surprise.

Labour MP Gavin Shuker saying he would have to 'just let that sink in for a minute.'

And the leader of the Women's Equality Party, Sophie Walker, recalled a speech to the International Conference on Men's Issues in which Mr Davies claimed that 'feminist zealots really do want women to have their cake and eat it'.

'I hope Philip Davies plans on bringing feminist cake and eating it. We are watching,' said Ms Walker.

The Shipley MP told the Press Association he could not see anything untoward in his selection.

'Are you only allowed on select committees if you all share the same opinion now?' he asked. 'That would be a novel innovation and an affront to free speech.'

He said: 'I believe in equality. What I want to ensure is that people are treated equally, whether they are men or women, black or white, gay or straight, whatever their religion.

'People shouldn't have their opportunities determined by these things, all of these things should be irrelevant.

'That's the agenda I want to pursue on the committee - a true equality that is colour-blind, gender-blind, sexuality-blind and religion-blind.'

Sophie Walker, the leader of the Women's Equality Party (pictured during the London mayor election in May), expressed her surprise at Mr Davies appointment

Mr Davies was successful last year in securing a parliamentary debate to mark International Men's Day, despite opposition from Labour MP Jess Phillips, who told the Backbench Business Committee: 'It seems like every day to me is International Men's Day.

'When I've got parity, when women in these buildings have parity, you can have your debate.'

The Women and Equalities Committee said it had not yet been informed of the nominee to fill the empty space on the cross-party panel.

Under parliamentary procedures, seats are awarded to parties whose nominees must go through a committee of selection before being approved by the House of Commons.