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May condemns Toby Young's comments but backs him keeping OfS post May condemns Toby Young's comments but backs him keeping OfS post
(8 days later)
Free schools advocate should remain on education watchdog’s board, says PM, but warns he would be sacked were he to use language like that again
Andrew Sparrow Political correspondent
Sun 7 Jan 2018 10.45 GMT
Last modified on Sun 7 Jan 2018 22.40 GMT
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Theresa May has said Toby Young should be allowed to continue serving on the board of the new higher education watchdog even though she condemned offensive comments he has made in the past.Theresa May has said Toby Young should be allowed to continue serving on the board of the new higher education watchdog even though she condemned offensive comments he has made in the past.
In her first public statement about Young’s appointment, the prime minister said she was not aware of Young’s history of making sexist and homophobic remarks when he got the job and that, if he were to use language like that again, he would be sacked.In her first public statement about Young’s appointment, the prime minister said she was not aware of Young’s history of making sexist and homophobic remarks when he got the job and that, if he were to use language like that again, he would be sacked.
But she signalled that she was happy for him to remain on the board of the new Office for Students, even though the opposition and the main teaching union, the National Education Union, have said his previous outbursts make him unsuitable for the post.But she signalled that she was happy for him to remain on the board of the new Office for Students, even though the opposition and the main teaching union, the National Education Union, have said his previous outbursts make him unsuitable for the post.
Young, a journalist, was appointed to the OfS principally because of his record as a champion and founder of free schools. The announcement led immediately to intense scrutiny of the many provocative and offensive comments he has made in public in the past, particularly on Twitter.Young, a journalist, was appointed to the OfS principally because of his record as a champion and founder of free schools. The announcement led immediately to intense scrutiny of the many provocative and offensive comments he has made in public in the past, particularly on Twitter.
In an interview on BBC1’s Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, May said Young had done “exceedingly good work in relation to free schools” and that was why he was appointed.In an interview on BBC1’s Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, May said Young had done “exceedingly good work in relation to free schools” and that was why he was appointed.
When it was put to her that his appointment jarred with her declaration in her new year’s message that public debate should be conducted “with decency”, May said she was not aware of Young’s comments when he was appointed.When it was put to her that his appointment jarred with her declaration in her new year’s message that public debate should be conducted “with decency”, May said she was not aware of Young’s comments when he was appointed.
She added: “Frankly, I’m not at all impressed by those comments. He’s now in public office and as far as I’m concerned if he was to continue to use that sort of language and talk in that sort of way he would no longer be in public office.”She added: “Frankly, I’m not at all impressed by those comments. He’s now in public office and as far as I’m concerned if he was to continue to use that sort of language and talk in that sort of way he would no longer be in public office.”
Asked if Young would be allowed to carry on, May said he had apologised and that if he made remarks of this kind again, he would not be allowed to remain in public office.Asked if Young would be allowed to carry on, May said he had apologised and that if he made remarks of this kind again, he would not be allowed to remain in public office.
May seemed to be referring to a lengthy statement Young issued last week in which he said that some of his previous remarks had been “sophomoric and silly” and that he regretted those.May seemed to be referring to a lengthy statement Young issued last week in which he said that some of his previous remarks had been “sophomoric and silly” and that he regretted those.
He continued: “But some have been deliberately misinterpreted to try and paint me as a caricature of a heartless Tory toff. For the record, I’m a supporter of women’s rights and LGBT rights.”He continued: “But some have been deliberately misinterpreted to try and paint me as a caricature of a heartless Tory toff. For the record, I’m a supporter of women’s rights and LGBT rights.”
Also speaking on the Andrew Marr show, Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health spokesman, condemned May for not showing more leadership on this issue.Also speaking on the Andrew Marr show, Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health spokesman, condemned May for not showing more leadership on this issue.
“These tweets from Toby Young are disgusting, offensive, sexist. She should show some leadership; she should get rid of him,” Ashworth said.“These tweets from Toby Young are disgusting, offensive, sexist. She should show some leadership; she should get rid of him,” Ashworth said.
Toby Young
Higher education
Theresa May
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