Michael Dugher MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office, said: 

“David Cameron has form when it comes to packing out tax-payer funded public appointments with cronies and donors. 

"The Conservative Party donor, Andrew Sells, was appointed Chair of Natural England, the former Chief Executive of the Conservative Party, David Prior, was given the position of Chair of the Care Quality Commission and Lady Hanham, the former local government minister and Conservative Party Leader of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, was appointed Chair of Monitor. 

"It is  widely acknowledged that the Government made a huge mistake in choosing to get rid of Baroness Morgan as Ofsted Chair, with Michael Gove putting party politics first. The appointment of the next Chair of the Ofsted board is important for parents who want to see the highest standards of schooling.

"The public expects a fully transparent and accountable process for recruiting the next Ofsted Chair and we need urgent assurances that the appointment will be made on merit rather than political patronage.”