THE professor slammed for making an "innocent" lingerie joke has said the backlash he's faced is an attack on free speech.

Richard Ned Lebow was asked which floor he wanted while in a lift and replied "Ladies' lingerie" - leading a colleague to complain.

2 Richard Ned Lebow, 76, faces disciplinary action after he was asked which floor he wanted in a lift and replied: 'Ladies’ lingerie'

The 76-year-old has spoken out and refuses to apologise as he thinks he did nothing wrong.

The ISA deemed that it violated its code of conduct — and has given him until Tuesday to apologise.

However he has so far refused saying his case violates freedom of speech, and he could face disciplinary charges, putting his 53-year career in jeopardy.

The US academic called the complaint “frivolous”, adding: “The elevator was jam-packed and claustrophobic, which may be why I made my admittedly lame, but inoffensive, remark.

2 Simona Sharoni, a US professor of women’s and gender studies, reported Lebgow for sexism

“There is nothing to apologise for.

"If I did apologise it would show that crazy people like this one can intimidate associations – and it will have a chilling effect on everyone.

"This is also about an issue of humour and the idea that humour is now becoming off limits."

Prof Lebow, a political theory expert at King’s College London, made the quip at the International Studies Association’s annual convention in San Francisco last month.

Simona Sharoni, a US professor of women’s and gender studies, later reported him for sexism.

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She said: “The woman next to me said, ‘I wonder if we should have told them it is no longer acceptable to make these jokes!’”

Prof Lebow added:"I think I have a responsibility for more vulnerable members of my profession to stand firm.

"I have a responsibility to publicise my grievance and to try to create a debate that might make this kind of behaviour less common."

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