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Woman who could be first trans peer

THIS could be a first for the ancient House of Lords: I can disclose that a transwoman called Matilda Simon, 67, wants to join the red leather benches.

What makes Matilda’s petition unique is that she was born Matthew Simon, only son of the 2nd Lord Simon of Wythenshawe, who died in 2001 aged 87. She would be known as Lord — not Lady — Simon.

Educated at St Paul’s School, London, Matthew graduated from Balliol College, Oxford, before becoming a senior lecturer at Manchester University.

The Lord Speaker’s communications adviser, Lucy Dargahi, tells me that the matter will be referred to the Lord Chancellor ‘to make sure the claim is legitimate’.

If it is, Matilda’s name will be added to the list of candidates for the Lords’ by-elections — held when one of the 92 hereditary peers dies.

Matilda, adds Dargahi, would then ‘be the first transgender person, as far as we are aware, eligible to stand in the by-election’.