Baroness Betty Boothroyd, first woman Speaker of the House of Commons, dies aged 93

Baroness Betty Boothroyd, the first woman to be Speaker of the House of Commons, has died, according to current Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who said she was “one of a kind”.

Boothroyd died aged 93. She became the first woman to be elected Speaker in April 1992, staying on in the role until October 2000.

“Not only was Betty Boothroyd an inspiring woman, but she was also an inspirational politician, and someone I was proud to call my friend,” Lindsay said. “To be the first woman Speaker was truly ground-breaking and Betty certainly broke that glass ceiling with panache.”

There was always a “friendly rivalry” between the pair, he said. “She was from Yorkshire, and I am from Lancashire... But from my point of view, it was heartening to hear a northern voice speaking from the chair.”

“She stuck by the rules, had a no-nonsense style, but any reprimands she did issue were done with good humour and charm,” Lindsay said. “Betty was one of a kind. A sharp, witty and formidable woman – and I will miss her.”