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The partner of Scottish comedian Limmy has accused a Glasgow security guard of sexism after he told her to smile.

Lynn McGowan took to Twitter over the weekend to blast a Buchanan Galleries worker who told her to "smile" as she walked onto an escalator.

The tweet, which was later deleted, saw responses from people in support of McGowan but others who didn't agree with her stance.

It was retweeted 22 times and liked by more than 1,100 people.

McGowan also appeared to imply the worker's comments were insensitive to people suffering from mental health issues at Christmas.

Lynn wrote: "Security guard in Buchanan Galleries just told me to 'smile' as I walked onto the escalator.

"Shockingly sexist and ill judged, particularly at this time of year.

"He was standing at the top floor, I know these people are trained in suicide awareness, what an ignorant p****."

In a separate tweet she said: "The (male) security manager dealt with my complaint very well and apologised sincerely. The end."

Many social media users didn't agree with her views and thought she was being too harsh on the guard.

@Fat_Man_Racing wrote: "How on earth is it sexist though? There's nothing sexist in telling anyone to smile."

While @WombleOnTour said: "What a lovely, kind, warm-hearted, generous and tolerant person you seem to be."

Ian Hunter commented: "Get a grip. He told you to smile...think everyone sees why...although somewhat surprised he could see past that massive chip on your shoulder."

(Image: Twitter)

@independent1888 said: "Why does it matter what sex the guard was? Why is it sexist? Utter nonsense. Are you suggesting no one ever says that to men?"

However, people supported McGowan saying they encounter the same issues.

Cate Lawson said: "I've had this so many times and it's one of those examples of underhand misogyny that has made me feel helpless because I know that there are so many men (like in your comments) that don't see an issue.

"But thank you for speaking up and confronting it. It's utter s**** and not ok."

While Laura wrote: "I actually hate when this happens to me. Anytime I've been told to 'smile' or 'cheer up' it has always been a MAN who had said it to me.

(Image: Twitter)

"Are women supposed to walk around permanently happy? Why don't they tell other men to 'smile' or 'cheer up'??"

But people were also quick to accuse McGowan of hypocrisy and referred to a tweet she had posted just three hours earlier stating that 'Men do not belong in shops.'

In a thread she said: "Men do not belong in shops.

"Red faces, panicking, getting in the way, pick up red lacy bras, stopping right at the top of the escalator blocking everyone."

Ross Lindsay said: "3 hours later you claim a security guard saying smile is sexist, you are what's wrong in this world."

(Image: Twitter)

But McGowan stood by her stance and hit back at those saying she had taken the guard's comment too seriously. She said: "I'm not tolerating that kind of s**** anymore and if he loses his job, it's his fault, not mine."

A spokesman for Buchanan Galleries said: “Our staff are encouraged to be friendly and to make everyone who visits the centre feel welcome at all times and we would never intentionally cause offence.”