Basic Instincts in the House of Commons

In the aftermath of recent headlines coming out of the Commons, Sarah Dunant explores sexual equality through the ages.

She looks in particular at the idea that 'women are temptresses who cannot - by definition of their sex - be trusted'.

"So ingrained is this within Christian culture," Sarah writes, "that it defined attitudes towards women for millennia".

Biblical accounts, renaissance sculpture, fairy tales and politics are all put under the spotlight.

Producer: Adele Armstrong Sound: Peter Bosher Production Coordinator: Gemma Ashman Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith