Women are unable to reach the top of the legal profession due to problems of financial support, childcare, and institutional sexual discrimination at the bar, according to Cherie Booth.

In an email exchange with barrister Marina Wheeler for the Telegraph, she claims that while the Lord Chancellor Lord Irvine had made a number of moves to address the issue, there is "still a long way to go".

Her comments come as Lord Irvine announces the appointment of 113 new Queen's Counsels, only 12 of whom are women.