A ninety-one year old woman recovering from open heart surgery is facing investigation  because she was unable to attend a sexual harassment class at what is essentially her place of work. She informed the appropriate people of this beforehand, making it very clear why she could neither attend nor participate online.  She has also said that she will be happy to take part at a later date, when health allows.

This would be a disgraceful thing to do to anyone of her age under such circumstances.  It is especially so in this instance. The woman in question is Baroness Boothroyd, former Speaker of the House of Commons, and one of the United Kingdom's most admired figures.  For nearly seventy years Lady Boothroyd has served the people of the UK with exemplary decency, intelligence, and balance.  She has been called 'one of the most widely respected parliamentarians of her generation' and is considered a model of integrity by people of all parties. The phrase 'national treasure' is much abused but certainly applies to her.

The class is simply mandatory awareness training for all members of the House of Lords.  It could easily be done when this incredibly hard-working woman has had a chance to recover from a very serious operation.  This investigation is gross discrimination against the elderly and the ill.  That it is being done in the name of ethics and standards makes it even more insulting.  Please recognise that Lady Boothroyd is following her doctor's advice and scrap this inhumane, time-wasting investigation.