Angela Rayner MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Education, commenting on the Education Select Committees’ rejection of the new Chief Inspector of Schools’ appointment, said:

“This is not the first time that one of Nicky Morgan’s appointments has been called into question by Parliament. Her judgement is seriously in doubt.

“The state of our increasingly fractured schools system means the role of Chief Inspector of Schools has never been more important. We need to get the right person in this role if our children are to get the education they deserve.

“I would urge her to look very seriously again at whether Ms Spielman is the best person for this extremely important job.”