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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Blair defends Kelly over school | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Tony Blair has defended the right of the ex-Education Secretary Ruth Kelly to send her child to a private school. | |
| Mrs Kelly, whose three other children are in state schools, has sent the child to a £15,000-a-year school for pupils with learning difficulties. | Mrs Kelly, whose three other children are in state schools, has sent the child to a £15,000-a-year school for pupils with learning difficulties. |
| No 10 said the PM "supports absolutely" a parent's right to decide on schools regardless of what their job is. | No 10 said the PM "supports absolutely" a parent's right to decide on schools regardless of what their job is. |
| A friend of Mrs Kelly said the decision was taken with the "co-operation" of the local education authority. | A friend of Mrs Kelly said the decision was taken with the "co-operation" of the local education authority. |
| The issue of using private education has long been a controversial area in the Labour Party. | The issue of using private education has long been a controversial area in the Labour Party. |
| We should let people make private decisions as parents David CameronConservative leader | We should let people make private decisions as parents David CameronConservative leader |
| The PM's official spokesman declined to talk specifically about Mrs Kelly's child. | |
| He said the PM believed there should be a "mix of provision" of state and private schooling. | |
| He denied there was a policy of closing special needs schools, adding: "The rate of closure has slowed down under this government." | |
| Current Education Secretary Alan Johnson earlier told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he did not know enough about the case to comment in detail on it. | |
| But he said: "At the heart of this there's a child with educational needs... so it's a very much a personal decision based on a whole set of complex areas." | But he said: "At the heart of this there's a child with educational needs... so it's a very much a personal decision based on a whole set of complex areas." |
| 'Incumbent' | 'Incumbent' |
| And Labour MP Barry Sheerman, chairman of the Commons education select committee, said: "Before we start a witch-hunt about a particular Cabinet minister, let us find out what the circumstances are and let's then duly consider that. | And Labour MP Barry Sheerman, chairman of the Commons education select committee, said: "Before we start a witch-hunt about a particular Cabinet minister, let us find out what the circumstances are and let's then duly consider that. |
| "The state system at its best should be able to provide for every kind of special education need - but at the moment in some parts of the country that's not true." | "The state system at its best should be able to provide for every kind of special education need - but at the moment in some parts of the country that's not true." |
| HAVE YOUR SAY I've no problem with them sending their children private - as long as they admit the weaknesses with the state system. Paul McLoughlin, London Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY I've no problem with them sending their children private - as long as they admit the weaknesses with the state system. Paul McLoughlin, London Send us your comments |
| London's schools commissioner Tim Brighouse told the same programme that if a local education authority could not provide adequate provision for a child with special needs it could pay to send them private. | London's schools commissioner Tim Brighouse told the same programme that if a local education authority could not provide adequate provision for a child with special needs it could pay to send them private. |
| However, he said that he thought it "incumbent" on those in the state education sector "to set a personal example". | However, he said that he thought it "incumbent" on those in the state education sector "to set a personal example". |
| BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson said Mrs Kelly's friend said that although the decision was taken with the "full co-operation" of the local authority Mrs Kelly had not wanted the local education authority to pay the private school fees. | |
| 'Understand' | |
| Conservative leader David Cameron, whose son attends a state special needs school, said parental concerns always came first and should be made privately. | Conservative leader David Cameron, whose son attends a state special needs school, said parental concerns always came first and should be made privately. |
| "We all have to make the decisions as parents first, not as politicians. Ruth Kelly is a parent first and foremost. | "We all have to make the decisions as parents first, not as politicians. Ruth Kelly is a parent first and foremost. |
| "My son is at a state special school, but I totally understand that sometimes things can go wrong and you have got to make the right decision for yourself as a parent." | "My son is at a state special school, but I totally understand that sometimes things can go wrong and you have got to make the right decision for yourself as a parent." |
| He added: "Some people will say it's hypocritical - it would be hypocritical if they were in favour of abolishing private education, but Labour I don't think are in favour of abolishing private education - so I think we should let people make private decisions as parents." | He added: "Some people will say it's hypocritical - it would be hypocritical if they were in favour of abolishing private education, but Labour I don't think are in favour of abolishing private education - so I think we should let people make private decisions as parents." |