Gove 'politcising schools watchdog'

A furious row has erupted within the coalition amid accusations by Liberal Democrats that Education Secretary Michael Gove is trying to “politicise” schools inspectorate Ofsted.

Mr Gove’s normally loyal Lib Dem deputy David Laws turned on Mr Gove, accusing him of trying to pack the watchdog with his “own people”.

The dispute, which brought to a head months of simmering tensions between Mr Gove and the Lib Dems, was triggered by his decision not to reappoint Labour peer Baroness Morgan of Huyton for a second three-year term as Ofsted chairman.

While Mr Gove paid a glowing tribute to Lady Morgan for her “enormous contribution” to the work of Ofsted, the move was seized on by the Lib Dems as a fresh attempt to assert his influence over the regulator.

A source close to Schools Minister Mr Laws said: “David is absolutely furious at the blatant attempts by the Tories to politicise Ofsted.

“The decision to get rid of Sally Morgan had absolutely nothing to do with her abilities, or even education policy, and everything to do with Michael Gove’s desire to get his own people on board.

“David Laws is absolutely determined not to let Michael undermine the independence of this vital part of the education system.

“David’s primary concern now is not to let Conservative game-playing destabilise Ofsted and he’ll be working closely with them as Schools Minister to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

The latest row comes just a week after Chief Inspector of Education Sir Michael Wilshaw voiced his anger at the Education Secretary in the wake of media reports that two right-wing thinks were drawing up plans to reform or even replace Ofsted.

Mr Gove was forced to issue a statement voicing his full support for Sir Michael and promising to dismiss any aides if they were found to be part of any “dirty tricks” campaign.

Although Lady Morgan is a former close adviser to Tony Blair, her departure from Ofsted was seen as a particular surprise as she was regarded as strong supporter of Mr Gove’s free school and academies programmes.

Lady Morgan insisted that there had been no falling out with Mr Gove and blamed Downing Street for orchestrating a campaign to remove non-Conservatives from senior positions on public bodies and replace them with loyal Tories.

“I think there is an absolutely determined effort from No 10 that Conservative supporters will be appointed to public bodies. I think that is an issue for the Cabinet Secretary and the Cabinet Office to look at,” she told the BBC.

“It has been a quiet, quiet drip. I’m not talking about Labour people being replaced, I’m talking about non-Conservative supporters being replaced by Conservative supporters.”

Downing Street made clear that the decision not to reappoint her had been the Education Secretary’s.

A senior Lib Dem source warned that they would not now allow Mr Gove to appoint “some Tory donor ideologue” in her place.

“Education policy is far more important than rewarding a few Tory cronies. The Lib Dems will not let our children’s education be dictated by some Tory donor ideologue,” the source said.

“It’s another reminder, if one were needed, of what this government would be like if the Lib Dems weren’t in it to keep the Tories honest.”

Source Article from http://uk.news.yahoo.com/gove-remove-ofsted-baroness-003144043.html

Gove 'politcising schools watchdog'