At least nine senior judges and barristers have weighed in on the Garrick Club's rules ahead of a Tuesday vote on whether women can be admitted as members. The former president of the Supreme Court, David Neuberger, and former Supreme Court judge Jonathan Sumption have both written to the club's chair, agreeing with legal advice that the rules do not bar women. However, Edward Henry KC, representing post office operators at the public inquiry, argues the advice is flawed.
The club has been bitterly divided over the issue, with resignations and threats to resign rising steadily. The general committee is split, with 13 members recommending women be admitted, warning that some 200 members might resign if the vote fails. High-profile members including Sting, Mark Knopfler, and BBC's John Simpson have threatened to quit if women are not accepted.
Simpson tweeted that many members would find it impossible to stay if the vote does not go through. His post attracted 1,800 responses, many ironic, questioning the fuss over an issue affecting a tiny fraction of the population. The Garrick came under scrutiny after the Guardian published names of about 60 high-profile members, including judges, MPs, and the king.
The letter from 13 committee members noted that the media spotlight had prompted resignations from senior judges, cabinet secretary Simon Case, MI6 head Sir Richard Moore, and others. Neuberger wrote he would resign if women were not admitted, calling it a 'running sore' and a 'reputational problem'. Sumption said he would stay but found the ban 'indefensible' given women's prominent roles in society.
