Cabinet secretary Simon Case plans to reform all-male Garrick Club from ‘within’

The head of the civil service, cabinet secretary Simon Case, was asked today how he squares his plans for “inclusiveness” with being a member of the all-male Garrick Club.

Labour MP Liam Byrne asked: “Forigive the impertinence of the question. But can you foster a genuine culture of inclusiveness while being a member of an all-male club like the Garrick?”

That prompted laughter and questions from other members, with liaison committee chairman Sir Bernard Jenkin asking fellow committee member Sir Robert Buckland if he wanted to “declare an interest”.

Sir Robert is also a member of the Garrick club.

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