The Boothroyd letters offer an insight into the friendship between the two women.<\/p>\n
In one letter written in 1998, Boothroyd discussed a performance they both attended, writing: “I was thrilled!” before describing one of the actors as “a dear, dear boy”.<\/p>\n
The then Speaker – a Labour MP from 1973 to 2000 – also mixed political life with personal observations.<\/p>\n
In one letter, while discussing parliamentary events and social engagements, she joked: “When does a mistress become a spouse?”<\/p>\n
Another referred to “the antics of that speaker woman paragliding over Paphos” after Boothroyd took up the sport on holiday in her sixties.<\/p>\n
Later correspondence from 2014 mentioned being frisked by security services, royal engagements and problems with central heating.<\/p>\n