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An official at the Department for Education has quit following claims of sexual harassment at a fundraising dinner, as furious MPs railed against the "slimeball's" event.

David Meller is leaving his role as a non-executive board member at the department amid allegations about the treatment of female workers at the all-male Presidents Club charity dinner, hosted by London's Dorchester hotel.

The businessman, who is also standing down as chair of the Government's apprenticeship delivery board, is on the board of the Presidents Club charitable trust.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan later described himself as "utterly appalled by the behaviour" and said it was "right" Mr Meller has also resigned as a trustee the independent Mayor's Fund charity.

The announcement of Mr Meller's resignation from his government role came as furious MPs also raised questions about the attendance of a government minister at the event, as well as the offer of lunch with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson as part of the dinner's charity auction.

Another government minister, Margot James, branded the fundraiser a "slimeball's" event, while Labour's Christian Matheson suggested allegations of wrongdoing should be referred by the Home Office to Scotland Yard.

His party colleague, Lucy Powell, claimed the event represented "more than a collective misjudgement" but a "deliberate sticking up of two fingers to those they perceive as being the PC culture".

Labour MP Jess Phillips branded the event a "lady zoo".

Asking an urgent question, she told the House of Commons an undercover investigation of the event by the Financial Times had revealed "women were bought as bait for rich men".

"Not a mile from where we stand, as if that is an acceptable behaviour - it is totally unacceptable," Mrs Phillips added, as she asked whether it was "appropriate" for Mr Meller to remain in a Government role.

Anne Milton, minister for women, claimed it was "extraordinary in the 21st century that allegations of this nature are still emerging" as she revealed Mr Meller's resignation.

Mrs Milton told how she contributed to a WhatsApp group on Wednesday morning, in the wake of allegations regarding the event, with the message: "Words fail me."

The Tory minister was also forced to field questions about the attendance of her government colleague, Nadhim Zahawi, at last Thursday's dinner.

"He didn't stay at the event long and I know he found the event deeply uncomfortable, he left and he was truly shocked by the reports that have emerged," she said.

Mrs Milton also stressed Mr Zahawi, parliamentary under-secretary of state for children and families, attended as a "private individual" and not in any official capacity.

Mr Zahawi later posted on Twitter: "I do unequivocally condemn this behaviour. The report is truly shocking. I will never attend a men-only function ever."

The Government also came under pressure from MPs wanting to know of Mr Johnson's involvement, after it was claimed attendees could bid for lunch with the Foreign Secretary as part of the dinner's auction.

The SNP's Alison Thewliss asked: "What message does it send out to the world that the Foreign Secretary endorses such an event?"

In response, Mrs Milton said: "The Foreign Secretary knew nothing of his inclusion in any auction and in no way endorsed the event".

Tory MP Vicky Ford accused women involved in organising the event of having "groomed and pimped" young female workers, who were allegedly told to sign non-disclosure agreements.

Mrs Milton replied: "This doesn't really fall very much short of payment for sex in my view and it is really shocking that it is probably other women that are encouraging these women into these sort of jobs."

Labour's Yvette Cooper, who chairs the House of Commons' Home Affairs Committee, called for an investigation into possible breaches of the law and charitable rules.

"They chose to treat hostesses in this way to make them parade across the stage in front of men, to make them wear black skimpy outfits and specify the colour of their underwear," she said.

"They chose to ask them to drink before the event."

Former education secretary Justine Greening, who quit the Government earlier this month, said: "The best thing we could all do is make sure every single one of those business people at that dinner who runs a big business in our country can now damn well get their gender pay gap data published."

Mrs Milton said: "Every single business, every single organisation, who attended that dinner should report at least by the end of this week."