'I'll champion women's rights', says Sharron

PLYMOUTH-BORN OLYMPIAN SPEAKS IN HOUSE OF LORDS

- By NICK LESTER

OLYMPIC swimmer and women’s rights campaigner Sharron Davies has told how challenges in her career gave her the resolve “to hold up the principles of equality and fairness”.

The Conservative peer also recalled how her father and then coach was ostracised for challenging cheating in the sport and “daring to ask for a level playing field for women”.

Baroness Davies of Devonport, who has been a prominent critic of transgender athletes being able to compete in women’s sport, made her comments during her maiden speech in the House of Lords, following her recent introduction.

The silver medallist, whose inter national swimming career spanned three decades, was nominated for a life peerage by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.