London's prestigious Garrick Club is facing a significant exodus of high-profile members as the controversy over its male-only membership policy intensifies. The latest to resign is former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove, adding to a growing list of departures from the elite establishment.
A Club Under Fire
The Garrick Club, founded in 1831, has long been a bastion of British establishment figures, including judges, actors, and politicians. However, its refusal to admit women has sparked fierce debate in recent years, with critics branding the policy outdated and discriminatory.
High-Profile Resignations
Sir Richard Dearlove, who led the Secret Intelligence Service from 1999 to 2004, is the latest prominent figure to quit the club. His departure follows that of other notable members who have grown increasingly uncomfortable with the club's stance on gender equality.
"The Garrick's position is becoming increasingly untenable in modern Britain," a source close to the club told reporters. "Many members feel they can no longer be associated with an institution that refuses to move with the times."
The Wider Impact
The controversy has put pressure on other private members' clubs across London to review their own policies. While some have embraced change, the Garrick's resistance has made it a lightning rod for criticism.
Legal professionals have been particularly vocal, with several senior judges resigning their membership in protest. The debate has also reached the highest levels of government, with ministers questioned about their own club affiliations.
What Next for the Garrick?
With membership numbers dwindling and public scrutiny intensifying, the club's committee faces mounting pressure to reconsider its position. However, traditionalists within the membership are reportedly digging in their heels, setting the stage for further conflict.
As one former member put it: "The Garrick is at a crossroads - it can either modernise or risk becoming irrelevant."
