Garrick Club to allow female members for first time

The Garrick Club has voted to allow women members for the first time in its history, The Telegraph understands.

For more than 190 years, the Garrick had refused to admit women as members – but this was overturned following a vote from its 1,500 members at a venue near its headquarters in Covent Garden, central London, on Tuesday.

It is understood that approximately 60 per cent voted in favour of the change, with 40 per cent against. Speakers in favour included Stephen Fry, James Naughtie, Lord Sumption and Nigel Havers.

Members were asked to vote to confirm a resolution “that the rules of the club allow the admission of women members”. Women were previously only allowed to enter the club if invited and accompanied by a man.

The Garrick had faced mounting pressure to change its admission policy following the resignation of several of its members, including four senior judges.

The resignations of Keith Lindblom, an Appeal Court judge, and three high court justices – Nicholas Cusworth, Nicholas Lavender and Ian Dove – had come soon after those of Simon Case, the head of the Civil Service, and Richard Moore, the MI6 chief.

Members of the club had sparked a motion last month to change the rule by nominating seven prominent women, including Dame Mary Beard and Amber Rudd, as members, putting the names forward to a committee meeting.

An open letter, signed by more than 80 lawyers in England and Wales, was published in March, calling on judges to give up their memberships.

The letter stated that membership to the Garrick Club was “incompatible with the core principles of justice, equality and fairness”.

A steady stream of members wearing the club’s distinctive pale pink and green silk tie could be seen filing into the club at around 7pm.

Some were seen happily chatting to one another as they were ushered in by two doormen dressed in velvet-green uniforms.

One member, standing on the steps of the club when asked if the vote was a welcome outcome, he gave a thumbs up and said “absolutely”. Another said “it was a good vote”.

One member went even further saying: “Yes I did support it, that is the way the world is going.

Others were more despondent. “The votes have been made and one needs to accept the outcome,” he said as he ambled across the road towards the club.

Another, when asked if he was in favour of the vote, answered: “I’m not in favour of journalists”.

It is understood the debate itself had been conducted in a largely good-tempered manner, despite the divisions caused by the issue.

The vote was broadcast over a live stream to allow members who could not be there in person to vote remotely.

Other members include politicians Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Michael Gove as well as BBC journalists John Simpson and Clive Myrie and Hollywood actors such as Matthew Macfadyen and Benedict Cumberbatch.