Tristram Hunt MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, responding to the row within Government over allegations of extremism in Birmingham schools, said:

“Instead of ministers rowing, we need leadership on how we confront the very serious and worrying reports about Birmingham schools.

"Michael Gove has failed to act on the early warning signs to prevent the sort of situation we are seeing in schools in Birmingham. Labour will introduce new Directors of School Standards to monitor weak governance and under-performance in our schools.

"But by refusing to act, Michael Gove is paving the way for more fragile schools to run into trouble.”