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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| MPs snub choice for child supremo | MPs snub choice for child supremo |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| MPs have challenged the suitability of a woman picked by the government to be England's next children's commissioner. | MPs have challenged the suitability of a woman picked by the government to be England's next children's commissioner. |
| Maggie Atkinson was nominated by Children's Secretary Ed Balls to take up the post in March 2010. | Maggie Atkinson was nominated by Children's Secretary Ed Balls to take up the post in March 2010. |
| But a Commons committee is to recommend he starts the selection process again because she had not shown enough effort to assert the independence of the role. | But a Commons committee is to recommend he starts the selection process again because she had not shown enough effort to assert the independence of the role. |
| Children's charity Barnardo's said the decision to snub the former children's services chief "beggars belief". | Children's charity Barnardo's said the decision to snub the former children's services chief "beggars belief". |
| Chief executive Martin Narey said: "I am astonished that the select committee has failed to endorse the appointment of Maggie Atkinson as the new children's commissioner. | Chief executive Martin Narey said: "I am astonished that the select committee has failed to endorse the appointment of Maggie Atkinson as the new children's commissioner. |
| "Maggie is an excellent choice and will fearlessly and independently promote the interests of children in England. This verdict beggars belief." | "Maggie is an excellent choice and will fearlessly and independently promote the interests of children in England. This verdict beggars belief." |
| 'Determination to assert' | 'Determination to assert' |
| Labour MP Barry Sheerman, who chairs the committee for children, schools and families , said members had not been convinced of Ms Atkinson's suitability for the role. | |
| "We needed to see more sense of determination to assert the independence of the role and challenge the status quo on children's behalf and to strengthen the remit of the role by championing children's rights," he explained. | "We needed to see more sense of determination to assert the independence of the role and challenge the status quo on children's behalf and to strengthen the remit of the role by championing children's rights," he explained. |
| "When pushed... she said she would not champion children's rights, her role was to be the voice of children. We found it difficult to see how she could do one without the other." | "When pushed... she said she would not champion children's rights, her role was to be the voice of children. We found it difficult to see how she could do one without the other." |
| Bob Reitemeier, the Children's Society's chief executive, said he was "disappointed and surprised" by the committee. | Bob Reitemeier, the Children's Society's chief executive, said he was "disappointed and surprised" by the committee. |
| He added: "We believe that Maggie is a strong candidate appointed by a rigorous process." | He added: "We believe that Maggie is a strong candidate appointed by a rigorous process." |
| The National Children's Bureau also said the committee was wrong to oppose her appointment. | The National Children's Bureau also said the committee was wrong to oppose her appointment. |
| Chief executive Sir Paul Ennals said: "Everyone who knows Maggie knows of her robustness, her independence of mind, and her strength of character." | Chief executive Sir Paul Ennals said: "Everyone who knows Maggie knows of her robustness, her independence of mind, and her strength of character." |
| The children's sector knows of the value of a strong commissioner and they will back Maggie to undertake that role with vigour and commitment Sir Paul Ennals | The children's sector knows of the value of a strong commissioner and they will back Maggie to undertake that role with vigour and commitment Sir Paul Ennals |
| He had been on the interview panel which had arranged for her to be questioned by children as part of the process. | He had been on the interview panel which had arranged for her to be questioned by children as part of the process. |
| "The children and young people judged her to be the best candidate for the post and the interview panel were unanimous in their recommendation," he said. | "The children and young people judged her to be the best candidate for the post and the interview panel were unanimous in their recommendation," he said. |
| "The children's sector knows of the value of a strong commissioner and they will back Maggie to undertake that role with vigour and commitment." | "The children's sector knows of the value of a strong commissioner and they will back Maggie to undertake that role with vigour and commitment." |
| Dr Atkinson taught English and drama for 10 years before moving into a national training and advisory role on the national curriculum in the late 1980s. | Dr Atkinson taught English and drama for 10 years before moving into a national training and advisory role on the national curriculum in the late 1980s. |
| She became director of children's services in Gateshead in 2003. She was president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services until March 2008, and is currently chair of the National Expert Group on the Children's Workforce and national chair for the new Centre of Excellence in Outcomes. | She became director of children's services in Gateshead in 2003. She was president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services until March 2008, and is currently chair of the National Expert Group on the Children's Workforce and national chair for the new Centre of Excellence in Outcomes. |
| A spokesman for the Department of Children, Family and Schools said Ed Balls had endorsed the selection process which chose Ms Atkinson before nominating her as the preferred candidate. | A spokesman for the Department of Children, Family and Schools said Ed Balls had endorsed the selection process which chose Ms Atkinson before nominating her as the preferred candidate. |
| "In accordance with Cabinet Office guidance, the children, schools and families select committee held a pre-appointment hearing on 12 October and will publish its report on Monday. The secretary of state is considering the report, an advance copy of which he received on Friday, and will respond shortly," he said. | "In accordance with Cabinet Office guidance, the children, schools and families select committee held a pre-appointment hearing on 12 October and will publish its report on Monday. The secretary of state is considering the report, an advance copy of which he received on Friday, and will respond shortly," he said. |