Premier Mike Baird has praised Maitland MP Robyn Parker’s character in dealing with sexist and offensive ­comments that a Coalition ­colleague made about her.

Murray Darling MP John Williams said Ms Parker “never had a real man” and threatened to “tear her a new orifice” at a National Party gathering in front of about 100 people in April.

While Ms Parker heard about the incident in the days that ­followed, the comments only reached the media this week.

She accepted an apology from Mr Williams on Monday.

Mr Baird paid tribute to Ms Parker’s strength of character yesterday.

“Some people have asked me about the comments of an MP against Robyn and I’d just say that I was disgusted with those comments and there is no excuse for any comments like that whatsoever,” he said.  “But I also wanted to pay tribute to Robyn. 

“I think what it clearly shows is the class of Robyn Parker in actually accepting an apology despite the comments that were made.

“On two fronts, those comments were absolutely ­disgusting. They have no place in  not only public life, but in life fullstop.

“I think the class of Robyn Parker was there for everyone to see.”

Ms Parker previously told the Mercury that Mr Williams’ ­comments were violent and offensive and described the ­incident as a backward step for women in politics.

One of Ms Parker’s ­challengers in next year’s ­election, Labor candidate Jenny Aitchison, also spoke out against Mr Williams’ comments earlier this week.

She said the incident was a chance to focus on the issues surrounding treatment of women in the community.