Woodhead accuses Blair of betrayal

London - Former chief schools inspector Mr Chris Woodhead yesterday returned to haunt the government by accusing the Prime Minister…

London - Former chief schools inspector Mr Chris Woodhead yesterday returned to haunt the government by accusing the Prime Minister, Mr Blair, and Education Secretary Mr David Blunkett of betraying a generation of schoolchildren.

Mr Woodhead, who quit as head of education watchdog Ofsted three months ago, claimed there was a "black hole" at the heart of Labour's education policy and accused ministers of lurching from one initiative to another.

But Mr Blunkett hit back, disclosing the former chief schools inspector had wanted pay cuts for poorly performing teachers, which he said would have sparked a teachers' strike of "universal proportions".

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

  • Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter